When Children Can't Breathe

If you knew your child’s health was being endangered by the place you live, what would you do? This isn’t just about how your kid feels today. We’re talking about a situation in which there is extensive scientific proof the city you live in is increasing your kid’s chances of one day having permanently reduced lung function, premature cardiovascular disease, even cancer. Would you get out of town?

That was the question raised in a New York Times op-ed over the weekend. Gardiner Harris tells the story of his son, Bram, who was eight years old when Harris got the choice job of Times South Asia correspondent, based in New Delhi. The Indian capital happens to be the most polluted city in the world, with particulate air pollution readings routinely double those of Beijing, which has gotten much more attention for its pervasive smog. (For some international perspective: The smoggiest day in Beijing is about seven times worse than the smoggiest day in Los Angeles, the U.S. city with the worst air pollution.)