Indoor Air Cartoon Journal, December 2019, Volume 2, #87

Poor reading ability has significant implications on learning ability. If the reading ability is weak, the ability to comprehend and profer solution to any problem will be difficult. The effect is more significant if the poor reading ability starts at a very young age. Young children have difficulty in managing confidence. A poor learning ability damages the confidence and self-esteem of a child. If the situation is not managed very well, low confidence and self-esteem could be carried over to adult age. A child’s ability to do well in life may be compromised as a result. Thus, it is essential to identify and mitigate the causes of poor reading and learning ability.

There is evidence in the literature associating ear infections as a cause of poor reading and learning ability. Of particular concern is the possible effect of air pollution on ear infections. A systematic review of evidence in the literature by Bowatte et al. (2018) revealed that exposure to chemical pollutants in indoor and outdoor environments could cause middle ear inflammation, known as otitis media. Nitrogen dioxide, particulate matters, sulphur dioxide, polycyclic hydrocarbons, combustion pollutants are some of the examples of several chemical pollutants that could cause ear infections. Viruses and bacteria are examples of biological pollutants that could cause ear infections. Impaired cognitive development, hearing loss, language delay, and poor social interactions are some of the ways ear infections could be detrimental to a child.

The fundamental question for everyone is, what efforts can be made to reduce the generation of and exposure to the air pollutants causing ear infections?

Do you want to know more about this topic? Read Bhattacharyya and Shapiro (2010), Bowatte et al. (2018), and Winskel (2006) papers.