If you live in Kolkata and have a child, you may have noticed that they cough or use their inhaler more often than normal this fall. It is not your mind; Kolkata's air quality went from "good" to "bad" in the middle of October 2025. And experts are saying that this winter could be 30% worse than last year because of La Niña, which makes pollution stay in the city longer.
The Scary Truth About the Air in Kolkata
First, I will give you a number that should scare all parents: Half of the children in Kolkata have some kind of breathing problem because of dirty air. That is one kid out of every two! A decade ago, doctors would see two to three kids every day with breathing problems caused by pollution. Today? That number has gone up to 10 to 15 kids every day, some of whom are babies.
It has gotten so bad that, based on population, Kolkata was named the second-dirtiest city in the world in 2019. The air quality in our city stayed dangerous all winter during Diwali 2023. PM2.5 levels regularly exceeded safe limits by over 12 times.
What Does La Niña Have to Do With the Lungs of Our Children?
You may have heard meteorologists talk about La Niña. Here's what it means for your family: In a sense, La Niña makes the atmosphere more stable, which is like putting a lid over our city that keeps pollution close to the ground. In the winters when La Niña is present, wind speeds slow down, humidity rises, and smoke from cars, crops burning, and fireworks just hangs in the air instead of dissipating.
Recent studies have found strong links between La Niña events and long cold waves with still air. When La Niña happens, it makes a low-level cyclonic anomaly that moves cold winds and holds pollution. During the winter, the air boundary layer, which is the top level where pollution can move, gets a lot thinner. When that happens, pollution builds up near the top, where our kids breathe.
October 2025: The start of our air crisis
Kolkata had AQI levels of 123–125 (moderate range) for the first time this season in the middle of October 2025. This was after months of having clean air during the summer. The AQI at RBU on BT Road was 189, at Jadavpur it was 157, at Victoria it was 142, and at Ballygunge it was 106.
Abhijit Chatterjee, an atmospheric scientist at the Bose Institute, warns, "The atmosphere is more static and stable during La Niña, which means that pollution will stay close to the ground." The smog level in Kolkata could rise sharply after Diwali.
What It Really Does to Your Child's Health
The numbers are very upsetting: ten years ago, one in twenty-five kids went to the doctor with breathing problems caused by smog. It is now one in ten kids. Why? Kids' lungs are still growing because they breathe faster than adults, and particulate matter builds up near the ground, right where kids are standing.
Kids in Kolkata often have problems with their airways, such as coughing, upper respiratory allergies, and allergic rhinitis that can lead to asthma, bronchitis, and long-term breathing problems. No one is safe, not even newborns and kids in wards. Affected kids (about half of them) need fixed-dose inhalers just to breathe well.
Zones of High Risk for Families in Kolkata
Be extra careful if you live in or often visit Salt Lake City (Bidhannagar), Park Street, Ballygunge, the BT Road areas, Jadavpur, or the area around Victoria Memorial. This area always has the worst AQI values and the largest amounts of PM2.5 and PM10.
Smart ways for parents in Kolkata to stay safe
Here is a useful step plan for you:
Indoor Air Quality: Put HEPA air filters in your bedrooms and major living places to clean the air. Stay inside when the pollution is bad, like early in the morning and late at night. Do not smoke, use incense sticks, or use mosquito coils inside. These things raise the amount of PM2.5 inside.
Outdoor Safety: Do not do a lot of things outside when the AQI is high, especially early in the morning and late at night. Make sure your kids wear N95 masks that fit well when they have to go outside. Surgical masks do not filter PM2.5, so do not use them. Pollution-prone places should keep an eye on the AQI and change when students can be outside based on that.
Nutrition for Immunity: Berries, citrus fruits, veggies, nuts, and other foods high in vitamins C and E can help your child's lungs. Flushing out toxins is easier with home treatments like warm honey water or turmeric milk.
Health Monitoring: Keep an eye out for coughing that will not go away, breathlessness, shortness of breath, or less energy while playing. Parents need to keep a closer eye on kids who already have asthma or allergies. Talk to your child's doctor right away—using preventative inhalers early on can help avoid problems.
After Diwali, people are more aware of how the use of "green fireworks" has not really changed the smog in Kolkata. A lot of people still use illegal fireworks, but they call them "green" options. Since Diwali falls at the same time as winter, things move very slowly and pile up for days afterward.
Action for the Community: Join or start efforts to raise awareness in your area or apartment building. Combining carpooling, fewer fireworks, and planting trees lowers exposure for all kids.
The Bright Side?
The situation looks bad, but more people are becoming aware of it. These days, hospitals have more tools, doctors are more careful, and parents like you are taking action. The clean air our kids learn about early on is not a given; we all need to work together to protect it.
Protecting your child's lungs this La Niña winter is not a choice; it is a must for survival parenting in Kolkata.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Kolkata Air Quality for Kids
Q1: How bad is Kolkata's air pollution for children really?
Extremely serious. 50% of Kolkata children suffer from airway disorders caused by air pollution. Pediatricians now see 10-15 pollution-affected children daily, compared to 2-3 a decade ago. Even infants are affected.
Q2: How does La Niña make Kolkata's winter air pollution worse?
La Niña creates higher atmospheric static stability, trapping pollutants close to the ground. Wind speeds drop, humidity rises, and the boundary layer shrinks, causing pollutants to accumulate at breathing level during winter months.
Q3: Which Kolkata areas have the worst air quality for families?
RBU on BT Road (AQI 189), Jadavpur (157), Victoria Memorial area (142), Ballygunge (106), Salt Lake City, and Park Street consistently report highest pollution levels and PM2.5 concentrations.
Q4: What specific health problems do Kolkata kids face from air pollution?
Common issues include wheezing, upper respiratory allergies, allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, and chronic respiratory conditions. About 50% of affected children need metered dose inhalers for comfortable breathing.
Q5: When is Kolkata's air quality worst for children?
Air quality deteriorates sharply in mid-October when monsoons end, worsens through Diwali (late October/early November), and remains hazardous throughout winter months (November-February) during La Niña years.
Q6: Do N95 masks actually help protect Kolkata kids from pollution?
Yes, properly fitted N95 masks filter PM2.5 particles effectively. However, surgical masks don't provide adequate protection. Ensure correct fit and use only during essential outdoor activities during high AQI periods.
Q7: Can air purifiers really make a difference for children indoors?
Absolutely. HEPA air purifiers significantly reduce indoor PM2.5 levels. Since 60% of outdoor particulate matter enters homes, purifiers in bedrooms and living areas protect children during sleep and play.
Q8: How can I tell if my child is being affected by Kolkata's air pollution?
Watch for persistent cough, wheezing, frequent colds, shortness of breath, reduced stamina during play, sleep disturbances, or worsening asthma symptoms. Consult pediatricians immediately if symptoms persist beyond 2-3 days.
Q9: What foods help protect children from pollution effects in Kolkata?
Vitamin C-rich foods (citrus, berries), vitamin E sources (nuts, spinach), antioxidant-rich vegetables, turmeric milk, honey water, and ensure proper hydration to help flush out toxins and support respiratory health.
Q10: Should I keep my kids home from school during high pollution days in Kolkata?
Monitor daily AQI levels. During 'unhealthy' (151-200) or worse categories, consider keeping vulnerable children (with asthma/allergies) home. Schools should adjust outdoor activities based on AQI readings and provide indoor alternatives.
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