Children are very sensitive to the effects of air pollution.
Children breathe more rapidly than do adults, and inhale more pollution per pound of body weight than adults. Therefore, their lungs have a greater chance for being exposed to harmful air pollutants. While exercising, children breathe more heavily and air pollution can be inhaled more deeply into the lungs. When children have a cold or are exercising, they often breathe through their mouths, taking in more pollutants than if the air was filtered through their noses. Because children's lungs are still developing, repeatedly breathing in polluted air may contribute to permanent lung damage.