JKUAT Department of Child Health and Paediatrics Senior Lecturer Justus Simba speaking during the second day of Clean-Air Forum in Nairobi on July 16, 2025 / PERPETUA ETYANGChildren living in Nairobi are more likely to suffer from lung disease symptoms than those in rural areas, a health expert has revealed.
Dr Justus Simba, a Senior Lecturer at the JKUAT Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, attributed the higher risk to prolonged exposure to air pollution in the city.
Speaking on Wednesday during the second day of the Clean Air Forum in Nairobi, Simba said air pollution has a direct impact on children’s lung health.
“There is a lot of global evidence showing that children’s lungs are affected when they live in polluted environments. Studies have also looked at patients, and as a lung specialist, I can say that the key change needed is either reducing pollution or moving them to cleaner areas,” he said.
“From a clinical perspective as a paediatrician, I’ve seen cases where simply relocating a child from one side of the city, especially from more polluted areas, leads to an improvement in symptoms.”
Simba noted that air pollution is a major trigger for asthma in children.
“I’ve seen patients whose symptoms worsen when they visit Nairobi compared to when they are in rural areas or other towns,” he added.
He also cited research by a colleague, conducted in collaboration with other partners, which found that pollution levels spike during traffic rush hours, particularly around 6 am and 6 pm.
For lung infections like pneumonia, Simba explained that chronic exposure to pollution damages the lining of the airways, making them more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.
To reduce the risks, he advised families to ensure their homes are well ventilated.
“Air pollution comes from both outside and inside the house. For indoor air, simple measures like keeping windows open during the day, even in colder months, can help reduce pollutants,” he said.
He warned about indoor air hazards such as mould, which often appears as a white substance above tiles, and the type of cooking fuel used.
“The safest and cleanest option is electricity, followed by gas. These choices significantly reduce indoor air pollution,” he said.
Simba also suggested that families living close to highways consider moving a few meters further from the road to limit exposure to vehicle emissions.
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 600,000 children under 15 die every year from respiratory infections caused by air pollution, both indoors and outdoors.
In 2021 alone, air pollution was linked to over 700,000 deaths in children under five. Experts warn that children are especially vulnerable because of their developing lungs and immune systems.
