The Air of Our Childhood
How air pollution is affecting health of children in Kyrgyzstan
Kemenger Aidarkulov lives in the Kara-Zhygach settlement near Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. He often plays soccer on the local football field with his friends. The neighborhood is right next to the Bishkek heating plant and all the children are used to the smell of smoke and cinders. Some even have a hard time breathing.
The situation is especially bad in winter. Kermenger’s classmates often get sick because of the polluted air. Sometimes, the whole school is closed for quarantine.
"I wish there were a lot of trees and parks. I want us to have more soccer fields where we can play ball. I would like us to have clean air", says Kemenger.
On average, air pollution in Bishkek in winter is 3.6 times higher than normal. According to a recent UNICEF study, air pollution is the single biggest environmental risk factor for premature death and ill health of children and adults in Kyrgyzstan.
Aktilek, 6, has been ill with bronchial asthma for 2 years. According to his mother, Nargiza Abdykadyrova, they have to get regular treatment at the National Center of Maternity and Childhood Care in Bishkek.
Nargiza notices that her boy’s condition worsens in the fall and winter. She believes it is caused by air pollution that increases in cold periods because Bishkek residents start burning coal, old tires, and waste from sewing factories to heat their homes. She says that some parents are even moving out of Bishkek to help their children.
"I had a neighbor whose child also also had asthma. It was difficult for them in Bishkek in winter. She took her two children and moved to Karakol (another city) because the air there is clean” says Nargiza.
Aktilek’s case is not unique. Around 22% of air pollution-related diseases are among children. Respiratory health issues among children are on the rise.
According to Doctor Mukhtar Ashiraliev, air pollution can severely affect health and even lead deaths.
"It has a stronger effect on patients with severe allergic rhinitis. Some people say you can't die from it. There are fatalities, allergic diseases can cause, for example, anaphylactic shock" says doctor Ashiraliev.
"It has a stronger effect on patients with severe allergic rhinitis. Some people say you can't die from it. There are fatalities, allergic diseases can cause, for example, anaphylactic shock" says doctor Ashiraliev.
There is also an economic burden of the air pollution. Bishkek residents are estimated to spend more than 20 million dollars a year to protect themselves from air pollution. They buy air purifiers, and medical supplies, insulate homes, and invest in eco-friendly heating systems.
