Air Pollution Harms Children's Lungs for Life

[SOS]

The Children's Health Study, which began in 1992, is a large, long-term, study of the effects of chronic air pollution exposures on the health of children living in Southern California.
About 5500 children in twelve communities were enrolled in the study; two-thirds of them were enrolled as fourth-graders. Data on the children's health, their exposures to air pollution, and many factors that affected their responses to air pollution were gathered annually until they graduated from high school.

Major Results of the Study
-Air Pollution Harms Children's Lungs for Life - Children exposed to higher levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, acid vapor and elemental carbon, had significantly lower lung function at age 18, an age when the lungs are nearly mature and lung function deficits are unlikely to be reversed.

-Children that were exposed to current levels of air pollution had significantly reduced lung growth and development when exposed to higher levels of acid vapor, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter which is made up of very small particles that can be breathed deeply into the lungs.

-Children living in communities with higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and acid vapor had lungs that both developed and grew more slowly and were less able to move air through them. This decreased lung development may have permanent adverse effects in adulthood.

-Children who moved away from study communities had increased lung development if the new communities had lower particulate matter levels, and had decreased lung development if the new communities had higher particulate matter levels.

-Days with higher ozone levels resulted in significantly higher school absences due to respiratory illness. Children with asthma who were exposed to higher concentrations of particulate matter were much more likely to develop bronchitis.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/chs/chs.htm

Is it time for SUV emissions standards yet?

[taterguy]

1. I support any new environmental regulation that wouldn't personally inconvenience me

SUV emissions standards? Hell, outlaw SUVs. I don't own one and never will.

Higher gas taxes? The sky's the limit since 90% of my transportation needs are met via bicycle.

Higher electricity taxes? Hell no, all my entertainment comes from electronic gadgets. I also live in the South and love air conditioning.

Maybe we could just encourage folks to pollute less.

[Stargazer99]

2. Business at any costs....hasn t that been this administrations

ideal....death, illness...you just ain't a survivor...to hell with the planet and any living thing on it....business at any cost.

[spoony]

3. SUV's? How about those 25 year old clunkers

that spit out fumes that make you gag in traffic, or the semis or garbage trucks that spew black smoke every time they step on the accelerator?

New cars of any size are the least of my automotive pollution concerns.