Traffic pollution linked to asthma in children
Posted March 22, 2013 9:04 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW YORK, NY. (NEWS1130) – New research suggests traffic pollution causes as much childhood asthma as second hand smoke. The study published online today by the European Lung Association is based on research carried out in 10 European cities.
It found 14 per cent of chronic childhood asthma was due to pollution near congested roads, which is about the same as inhaling someone else’s tobacco smoke.
The research shows children exposed to higher levels of traffic pollution have higher rates of asthma.
Lead author, Dr. Laura Perez at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, says it was known air pollution triggers asthmatic symptoms.
But Perez says this is the first time an estimated percentage of cases have actually been published. She adds the study results need to be considered to improve policy making and urban planning.
