Air exchange is key: without sufficient ventilation, carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels rise, a sign of poor air quality. A U.S. study in elementary schools found CO₂ concentrations above 1,000 ppm in most classrooms, indicating inadequate ventilation . These rooms had more respiratory viruses detected in air and nasal samples, while classrooms with higher air exchange showed about an 80 percent lower infection risk .

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is on the rise worldwide, particularly among children living in urban areas across East Asia. While genetics, screen time, and lack of outdoor activity have long been cited as key risk factors, a new and often overlooked element is now drawing attention: air pollution. A large-scale study from China, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), offers new evidence that pollutants in the air may have a direct impact on children’s vision.

More than 6 million people in Jakarta, Indonesia, were treated for acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the first half of 2024 alone, according to government data reported by Anadolu Agency. As air quality continues to deteriorate, the Indonesian government warns of a growing public health emergency in the capital and surrounding areas.