Dr. Vilić Švraka: Respiratory system is the primary target of indoor air pollutants

(Patria) - Indoor air pollution particularly endangers the health of vulnerable population groups, primarily children, the elderly, people with sensitive airways, and patients with chronic heart diseases. Preschool children are most sensitive to polluted indoor air, which is most often a consequence of the immaturity of their respiratory and immune systems, said prim. dr. sc. Aida Vilić Švraka, MD, a specialist in hygiene and health ecology from the Department of Hygiene and Health Ecology of the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Vilić emphasizes that the stay of preschool children in overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and overheated rooms can result in more serious health problems, in addition to mild symptoms (e.g., fatigue, loss of concentration, headache).

"The respiratory system is the primary target of indoor air pollutants, as they are most often introduced into the body through inhalation. The most common respiratory diseases in children are acute upper respiratory tract infections (often accompanied by sore throat, cough, and sinusitis), acute lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and bronchitis), and atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis," said prim. dr. Vilić Švraka.

The right to clean air in living and working environments is one of the fundamental human rights.

"Kindergartens are environments where children spend most of their time during the day, so the quality of the air they breathe in kindergarten premises is a very important factor for preserving their health. Therefore, testing the quality of indoor air in kindergartens in the Federation of BiH represents a significant step towards protecting and improving children's health," she stated, as announced by the Public Health Institute of the Federation of BiH.