Traffic Pollution Linked to Onset of Childhood Asthma
24 April 2009
During its meeting on Thursday, the California Air Resources Board heard the results of a study that found childhood asthma rates could increase as much as 30% with the exposure to higher levels of traffic-related air pollution.
Numerous studies have determined that traffic pollution exacerbates asthma; this study explored the linkage of ambient air pollution to newly-diagnosed cases of asthma.
The eight-year study followed 217 non-asthmatic children from a wide area of Southern California. Home air monitors allowed scientists to compare the children’s exposure to air pollution and newly diagnosed cases of asthma. It was found that higher amounts of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a constituent of smog, are associated with the onset of asthma in children.
Published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, the study is the latest to come from the Southern California Children’s Health Study, a project pioneered by the Air Resources Board in the early 1990s. This, the most extensive investigation into air pollution’s impact on the young, has provided data that resulted in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles with several ground breaking results.
One of these studies found that children exercising on days with high ozone concentrations also had an increased likelihood of developing asthma.
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If we dig deep enough we may also find may other pollution related deseases.
Increase in Asthma and Autism cases may not be the only one. Lung cancers and other respiratory deseases could be added to the list.
Deniers may never admit it, at least until they become a victim.
Posted by: HarveyD | 24 April 2009 at 01:59 PM
M-m-m, Harvey, autism is genetic disorder, not what one gets through polluted environment. And regular combustion pollutants are not guilty of being mutagenic.
Wide array of diseases are enhanced by combustion pollutants: asthma, cardiovascular stuff, lung cancer, ever respiratory diseases. This is why it is critically important to concentrate on elimination of harmful pollutants, not waste steam on fighting harmless to health CO2.
Posted by: Andrey Levin | 25 April 2009 at 03:16 AM
"Benzene,... is an organic chemical compound and a known carcinogen with the molecular formula C6H6."
A known carcinogen from fossil fuel usage. A genetic disorder can manifest itself through environmental triggers.
Posted by: SJC | 25 April 2009 at 09:42 AM
No so sure about the direct relationship between genetics and autism. Brain malformation may be due to a combination of many other factors.
More and more quantitative studies seem to indicate that certain unhealty environmental conditions +(eating, drinking and use of drugs), during pregnancy, may enhance autism occurences.
Of course, many more extensive studies are required to identify all the determinant factors.
One thing is certain, autism is increasing at an alarming rate of 15% to 17% a year in certain highly polluted areas.
Note: Certain women, frequently handling certain medications (prescribed drugs) during their pregnancy, seems to be more exposed. More studies are required to establish the relationship, if any.
Posted by: HarveyD | 25 April 2009 at 11:38 AM
SJC:
Mutagene and cancerogene are different beasts.
Harvey:
From Wiki, for whatever it worth:
“Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations with major effects.[3] Complexity arises due to interactions among multiple genes, the environment, and epigenetic factors which do not change DNA but are heritable and influence gene expression.[12] Early studies of twins estimated heritability explains more than 90% of the risk of autism, assuming a shared environment and no other genetic or medical syndromes.However, most of the mutations that increase autism risk have not been identified.
The available evidence does not rule out the possibility that autism's true prevalence has increased.”
Posted by: Andrey Levin | 26 April 2009 at 12:18 AM
Carcinogens cause normal cells to become abnormal. This sounds like a mutation to me. Benzene is not the only chemical found in oil and gasoline, before or after combustion in an internal combustion engine. The comment was that in the future links might be found to our use of fossil fuels and I agree.
Posted by: SJC | 26 April 2009 at 12:16 PM
The rapid increase in autism rate over the last few decades has not been very uniform across USA.
Some highly polluted areas have had higher increases.
If autism was 90% hereditary, the growth rate would be more uniform or found within certain affected groups etc.
More and more people think that many more factors (including environment pollution) may be involved.
More studies are required to identify all potential and real factors.
Posted by: HarveyD | 28 April 2009 at 04:55 AM