air quality

Air pollution effects on children

How poor air quality harms America’s kids.

Posted By AirDoctor TeamOctober 13, 2026

Parents obsess about keeping their kids safe and healthy. And playing outside is a big part of a healthy, happy childhood.

But hold on, because going outside to get some fresh air isn’t always as healthy as it sounds...

According to the American Lung Association's State of the Air 2026 Report, nearly half of children in the U.S. (about 33.5 million kids) live with unhealthy levels of air pollution.

What’s more, the report says children and teens are especially vulnerable to the “health harms of breathing air pollution” because:

Their lungs are still developing
They breathe more air for their body size than adults
They frequently spend more time outdoors than adults do

The good news? Parents can minimize the harm to their children by monitoring air quality alerts, keeping their kids inside when air quality is particularly bad, and making sure the air inside is as healthy as possible.

Unhealthy air for kids

The following maps show air quality grades by county based on two measurements: ozone and particle pollution.¹

First, the grades for ozone. A higher ozone level leads to a lower grade and worse air quality:

map of air polltion

Next, the grades for particle pollution. More particle pollution leads to a lower grade and worse air quality:

map of air polltion

The neighborhood itself matters too. Children living close to busy roads, highways, and freeways are at higher risk of developing childhood asthma.²

Air pollution risks for children

Air pollution isn’t one thing—it’s a complex, toxic mixture of health hazards that can be particularly dangerous for children. Let’s start with the two already mentioned:

Ozone

Specifically “ground-level ozone,” aka smog, a harmful gas that forms when other pollutants emitted from cars, refineries, power and chemical plants, etc. react in sunlight and heat. (“Stratospheric ozone,” on the other hand, is actually a good thing, as it shields us from ultraviolet rays.³) Ground-level ozone can inflame and damage airways and increase the frequency of asthma attacks.⁴

Particle pollution

An umbrella term for a mix of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. Some particles, like dust and soot, are large enough to see; others you need an electron microscope to see. Direct sources include smokestacks, construction sites, dirt roads, and fires, though most particles form in the air thanks to complex reactions of chemicals spewed by vehicles, industries, and power plants.⁵ Particle pollution can stunt children’s brains and damage their lung function.⁶

PM2.5

A subset of particle pollution. The “PM” stands for “particulate matter,” and the 2.5 indicates the size: 2.5 microns or smaller. These pose the greatest health risk because they’re tiny enough to slip right past the body’s natural defenses, penetrate the lungs, and cross straight into the bloodstream. And that can lead to decreased lung function, increased susceptibility to asthma, and acute lower respiratory tract infections in children.⁷

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)

A toxic gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels. Exposure has been linked to an increased risk of childhood asthma.⁸

The full list of health hazards also includes carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), making air pollution “one of the greatest environmental risks to child health,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).⁹

Wildfires make air quality exponentially worse

Longer and more intense wildfire seasons have made air quality a serious concern for families across the country. That’s because wildfire smoke, and all the pollutants in it, can travel hundreds, even thousands, of miles.¹⁰

And those pollutants don’t belong in anyone’s lungs. Wildfire smoke is a toxic mix of particles plus gases released by whatever burns.¹¹ Not only that, wildfire smoke oxidizes as it ages & travels, becoming even more toxic in the process.¹²

Children and teens with asthma need to be especially concerned during wildfires.¹³ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that parents monitor their local air quality score and pay attention to air quality alerts during wildfires.¹⁴

doctor checking child

Air quality and child health

The immediate effects of air pollution like coughing, irritation, or worsening asthma are clear. But researchers are also looking at what repeated exposure could mean in the long term.

One area of concern is lung function development.¹⁵ Children's lungs continue developing throughout childhood and adolescence, and research has found links between air pollution exposure and lung function and growth.

Scientists are also studying how air pollution may interact with the developing brain. Research has found some possible associations between pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide and children's cognitive development, including attention, memory, and learning ability.¹⁶

What parents can do to protect their kids

Here are some practical things you can do to minimize your kids’ exposure to air pollution:

Check the AQI. Before any outdoor activity, take a quick look at the Air Quality Index for your zip code. Your AQI score can help you decide if today is a good day for a hike, a shorter and less strenuous outing, or a fun indoor activity instead.

Keep wildfire smoke outside. Take steps to protect yourself and your family while you ride out heavy smoke days inside during wildfires.

Reduce air pollution inside. Incense, scented candles, and even many cleaning products (including air fresheners) can compromise your indoor air quality.

Consider a high-quality HEPA air purifier. Research shows that HEPA air filters can reduce indoor particulate matter. In one study involving homes with children with asthma, portable HEPA air purifiers substantially reduced indoor particle levels.¹⁷ And in another study involving Los Angeles elementary schools, classrooms using portable HEPA air purifiers had nearly 40% lower average PM2.5 concentrations than classrooms using non-HEPA purifiers.¹⁸

For concerned parents seeking a science-backed, third party tested and certified air purifier, AirDoctor may be the answer:

90% of customers surveyed said with AirDoctor, they’ve noticed improvements in the overall health and wellness of themselves and their families
96% of customers surveyed said AirDoctor’s advanced filtration system gives them more confidence when using cleaning supplies, gas stoves, or everyday items like candles
97% of customers surveyed said they feel more confident knowing AirDoctor filters smoke from their indoor air, including wildfire smoke

kids sleeping in a bed

Key takeaways

Air pollution impacts nearly half of children in the U.S.
Children’s developing lungs make them more vulnerable to air pollution than adults
There are possible links between air pollution & children's cognitive development
Parents can minimize their kids’ exposure to air pollution by checking the AQI & limiting outdoor activities when necessary
Parents can significantly reduce indoor air pollution with a HEPA air purifier