Traffic Pollution Stunts Lung Growth in Children
Long-term exposure to traffic pollution may stunt the lung development of children who live near a major highway, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
The study found that children who lived within one-third of a mile from a freeway beginning at age ten had substantial deficits in lung function by the time they were 18 years old, compared to children living one mile away from a highway.
“Someone suffering a pollution-related deficit in lung function as a child will probably have less than healthy lungs all of his or her life,” said lead auther W. James Gauderman, Ph.D., associate professor of preventative medicine. “And poor lung function in later adult life is known to be a major risk factor for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.”
The study uses data from the Children’s Health Study, a longitudinal study of respiratory health among children in 12 southern California communities. More than 3,600 children around the age of 10 were evaluated over a period of 8 years, through high school graduation. Lung function tests were taken during annual school visits, and the study team determined how far each child lived from freeways and other major roads.
“In view of the magnitude of the reported effects and the importance of lung function as a determinant of adult morbidity and mortality, reduction of exposure to traffic-related air pollutants could lead to substanial public health benefits,” conclude the authors.
Gauderman WJ, Vora H, McConnell R, Berhane K, Gilliland F, Thomas D, Lurmann F, Avol E, Kunzli N, Jerrett M, Peters J. Effect of Exposure to Traffic on Lung Development from 10 to 18 years of age: a cohort study. The Lancet 2007; 369:571-577.
The study is available online at: http://download.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/0140-6736/PIIS0140673607600373.pdf
Sanstrom T, Brunekreef B. Traffic-related pollution and lung development in children. The Lancet 2007; 369:535-537.
The commentary is available online at: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673607600385/fulltext
