By Stephanie Ray, BCN, ND

Board Certified Naturopath, Chinese Herbalist, + Mom

According to the American Lung Association, 33.5 million children — nearly half of all children in the United States — are living in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels.

As a mother, Naturopath, and Chinese Herbalist, this deeply concerns me.

We are seeing more wildfire smoke, traffic pollution, smog, environmental toxins, and chemical exposure than ever before. And children are often the most vulnerable.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Lungs are considered one of the body’s most protective organ systems. They are known as the “tender organ” because they are directly exposed to the external environment through every breath we take. The Lungs govern Wei Qi — our protective energy — helping the body defend itself from environmental stressors, irritants, and pathogens.

The more pollution the body is exposed to, the harder the Lungs, Liver, and detoxification pathways have to work to keep the system balanced.

For children especially, this matters.

Children’s lungs, nervous systems, and detoxification pathways are still developing. Their lungs are smaller, they breathe more rapidly, and their detoxification pathways are still maturing compared to adults. In TCM, children naturally have more delicate Lung and Spleen systems, making them more vulnerable to heat, dryness, smoke, toxicity, and environmental stressors.

How Air Pollution Affects the Brain, Focus & Nervous System

Research is now confirming what many traditional systems of medicine have long observed environmental toxins do not only affect the lungs.

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a strong connection between traffic-related pollution exposure and hyperactivity and focus issues in children. Researchers followed children from birth through age 7 and discovered that those living closest to major highways and bus routes were significantly more likely to struggle with attention and behavioral regulation.

Scientists believe pollution exposure may contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired circulation including circulation to the brain and nervous system.

Children exposed to wildfire smoke, traffic pollution, and environmental toxins may experience both respiratory and neurological stress.

In TCM, we understand this through the relationship between the Lungs, Liver, and Heart systems.

When the body becomes overwhelmed with toxic burden:

• the Liver struggles to move toxins out,

• detoxification pathways become burdened,

• and toxins begin impacting thinking, focus, learning.

This can show up as:

• irritability,

• brain fog,

• difficulty focusing,

• emotional dysregulation,

• restlessness,

• poor sleep,

• lower test scores,

• and feeling overwhelmed.

Children and teens are especially sensitive because their neurological systems and brain are still developing.

Why Detoxification Support Matters During High Pollution Exposure

While we cannot eliminate every exposure, we can support the body’s natural ability to detoxify and restore balance.

Children’s bodies are constantly growing and developing, which makes supporting healthy detoxification and resilience even more important today.

One of the most researched ingredients we use is micronized chlorella. Studies have documented chlorella’s ability to bind to environmental toxins, including heavy metals and certain chemical compounds, helping support the body’s natural detoxification pathways.

The micronized form is especially important because breaking the cell wall improves toxin binding power and nutrient bioavailability.

Fermented adaptogenic mushrooms and botanicals have also traditionally been used to support immune balance, adaptability to the environment, and liver health.

Natural Detox Support for Children, Teens & Adults

For children exposed to increasing environmental toxins, traffic pollution, and wildfire smoke, supporting healthy detoxification pathways can be an important part of helping maintain focus, learning, behavior, and overall neurological health. Adults exposed to the same environmental burden can also benefit from supporting healthy detoxification and cognitive function.

NDF Focus® was formulated with micronized chlorella and fermented ingredients that help support the brain, healthy cell-to-cell communication, focus, clarity, and cognitive function while also helping bind heavy metals, chemicals, and environmental toxins.*

For teens, Thinking Cap was formulated for the mental and emotional load they are carrying today. Micronized chlorella helps bind environmental toxins, while medicinal mushrooms and supportive herbs help nourish clear thinking, focus, and healthy brain function. RAYZ flower essences add emotional support for teens navigating stress, overstimulation, and an increasingly complicated world.*

For adults navigating increased toxic load from air pollution, wildfire smoke, processed foods, stress, and environmental chemical exposure, Mind Focus® provides deeper daily detoxification support while helping support energy, clarity, and overall vitality.*

What To Do During High Pollution & Wildfire Smoke Days

One of the simplest things families can do is begin paying attention to local air quality reports and wildfire smoke alerts.

On high pollution days:

• limit prolonged outdoor activity,

• keep windows closed,

• use air purifiers when possible,

• stay hydrated,

• support mineral intake,

• and prioritize restorative sleep.

Then when the air clears, get outside and breathe fresh air. In TCM, nature itself is medicine.

Fresh air, movement, grounding, sunshine, and time outdoors help regulate the nervous system, support Lung Chi, and restore healthy circulation throughout the body.

In TCM, we focus on supporting the body’s ability to restore balance, reduce toxic burden, and strengthen resilience over time especially in growing children exposed to increasing environmental stressors.

Children’s bodies are incredibly resilient when we help reduce toxic burden and support the systems designed to protect and restore balance.

References

1. American Lung Association. State of the Air 2025. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/research/sota

2. Newman NC, Ryan P, LeMasters G, et al. Traffic-related air pollution exposure in the first year of life and behavioral scores at age 7 years. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2013;121(6):731-736.

3. Perera FP, Chang HW, Tang D, et al. Early-life exposure to air pollution and cognitive development in children. Environmental Health Perspectives.

4. World Health Organization. Air Pollution. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution

5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ground-level Ozone Pollution. https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution

6. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Air Pollution and Children’s Health. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/

7. Jaishankar M, Tseten T, Anbalagan N, Mathew BB, Beeregowda KN. Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 2014;7(2):60-72.

8. Queiroz MLS, Rodrigues APO, Bincoletto C, Figueirêdo CAT, Malacrida S. Protective effects of Chlorella vulgaris in lead-exposed mice. Nutrition Research. 2003;23(9):1241-1250.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Pollution, Detoxification & Children’s Neurological Health

Can air pollution affect a child’s focus and learning?
Yes. Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a connection between traffic-related pollution exposure and focus issues in children. Environmental toxins may impact thinking, learning, concentration, and even test performance in some children.

Why are children more sensitive to environmental toxins?
Children breathe more rapidly than adults and their lungs, nervous systems, and detoxification pathways are still developing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), children are considered more vulnerable to environmental stressors because their Lung and Spleen systems are still maturing.

What does NDF stand for?
NDF stands for Natural Detox Factors. BIORAY’s NDF formulas were developed to help support healthy detoxification pathways while also supporting focus, cognitive function, neurological health, and overall resilience in children and adults exposed to increasing environmental stressors.*

What is micronized chlorella?
Micronized chlorella is a broken-cell-wall form of chlorella designed to improve toxin binding power and nutrient bioavailability. Research has documented chlorella’s ability to bind to certain environmental toxins, including heavy metals and chemical compounds, helping support healthy detoxification pathways.

What is NDF Focus® used for?
NDF Focus® was formulated with micronized chlorella and fermented ingredients to help support the brain, healthy cell-to-cell communication, focus, clarity, and cognitive function while also helping bind heavy metals, chemicals, and environmental toxins.*

What is Thinking Cap used for?
Thinking Cap was formulated for teens dealing with increasing mental and emotional stress. It combines micronized chlorella, medicinal mushrooms, supportive herbs, and RAYZ flower essences to support focus, clear thinking, healthy brain function, and emotional balance in an increasingly complicated world.*