Ambient Air Pollution: Health Hazards to Children

Ambient (outdoor) air pollution is now recognized as an important problem, both nationally and worldwide. Our scientific understanding of the spectrum of health effects of air pollution has increased, and numerous studies are finding important health effects from air pollution at levels once conside...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatrics (Evanston) 2004-12, Vol.114 (6), p.1699-1707
Main Author: Kim, Janice J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants - adverse effects
Air Pollutants - standards
Air pollution
Air Pollution - adverse effects
Air Pollution - prevention & control
Asthma
Asthma - etiology
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child health
Children
Children & youth
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
General aspects
Government Regulation
Health aspects
Health hazards
Health risk assessment
Humans
Infant
Medical sciences
Nitrogen Dioxide - adverse effects
Organizational Policy
Ozone - adverse effects
Pediatrics
Pneumology
Public Health
Respiratory Tract Diseases - etiology
Societies, Medical
United States
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Summary:Ambient (outdoor) air pollution is now recognized as an important problem, both nationally and worldwide. Our scientific understanding of the spectrum of health effects of air pollution has increased, and numerous studies are finding important health effects from air pollution at levels once considered safe. Children and infants are among the most susceptible to many of the air pollutants. In addition to associations between air pollution and respiratory symptoms, asthma exacerbations, and asthma hospitalizations, recent studies have found links between air pollution and preterm birth, infant mortality, deficits in lung growth, and possibly, development of asthma. This policy statement summarizes the recent literature linking ambient air pollution to adverse health outcomes in children and includes a perspective on the current regulatory process. The statement provides advice to pediatricians on how to integrate issues regarding air quality and health into patient education and children's environmental health advocacy and concludes with recommendations to the government on promotion of effective air-pollution policies to ensure protection of children's health.
ISSN:0031-4005
1098-4275
DOI:10.1542/peds.2004-2166