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The role of air pollution in asthma and other pediatric morbidities

Leonardo Trasande1, George D Thurston

  • 1Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Center for Children's Health and the Environment, New York, NY, USA.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|April 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Outdoor air pollution significantly worsens chronic childhood diseases and may contribute to their development. Reducing exposure to pollutants like ozone and particulate matter is crucial for children

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Growing evidence links outdoor air pollutants to acute exacerbation of chronic childhood diseases.
  • Children exhibit unique vulnerabilities to prevalent outdoor air pollutants.
  • Pollutants may play a role in the development of these chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review the biologic basis of children's vulnerability to outdoor air pollutants.
  • Summarize health effects and molecular mechanisms of action for key pollutants.
  • Inform practitioners on reducing morbidity in children.

Main Methods:

  • Focused review on ozone, particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10), lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.
  • Examination of existing research on health effects and molecular mechanisms.
  • Synthesis of information for clinical and policy recommendations.

Main Results:

  • Children's unique susceptibility to outdoor air pollutants is biologically based.
  • Specific pollutants like ozone and PM contribute to disease aggravation.
  • Molecular mechanisms underlying pollutant-induced inflammation are being elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • Practitioners should advise families to minimize children's exposure to air pollutants.
  • Asthma management must include addressing non-specific inflammation caused by pollution.
  • Policy-level action to reduce pollutant emissions is essential for public health.

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