Bengaluru: Shocking, but 34% of the children in Bengaluru, between 10-15 years, tested on their lung capacities were graded either “poor” or “bad”, all due to air pollution in the city. Bengaluru ranks only second behind Delhi which has 40% more children in these two categories. These are the results of the ‘breathe blue’ survey which looked at the adverse effects of air quality on children which was released here on monday.

The survey tested more than 500 children using a Peak Flow Meter at traffic junctions and schools in congested areas in four cities and even found a drastic difference in health of children who travel in air-conditioned vehicles compared to those who are exposed to air pollution during their open air commute.

More than 80 per cent of the children diagnosed with poor or bad lung capacity in the city were found to travel to school in non-air-conditioned vehicles or by walk. Conversely, four in five children tested as being “excellent” lung capacities travel in air-conditioned vehicles.

Nagendra Prasad K., allergy specialist from Bengaluru Allergy Centre, says that while children start experiencing decreased lung function at the age of eight itself due to pollution; congenitally impaired lung is a threat when pregnant women are exposed to air pollution.

While the pollution levels in Bengaluru will be higher than Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai which have sea-ward and land-ward breeze, Vaman Acharya, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman conceded that little could be done about the air quality unless new vehicle registration rates come down drastically.