The Gauderman report, published Feb 2007 and corroborated by University of Southampton now confirms growing awareness of health risks for children as would be living or schooling near the proposed A494/A55 road-widening schemes.
The study draws upon data from the Children's Health Study (CHS), a longitudinal study of respiratory health among children in 12 southern California communities. More than 3,600 children around the age of 10 years were evaluated over a period of eight 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.
"Otherwise-healthy children who were non-asthmatic and non-smokers also experienced a significant decrease in lung function from traffic pollution," continues Gauderman. "This suggests that all children, not just susceptible subgroups, are potentially affected by traffic exposure".
Lung function is a measure of lung health based on how much air a person can exhale after taking a deep breath, and how quickly that air can be exhaled. Children's lung function develops rapidly during adolescence until they reach their late teens or early 20s. A deficit in lung development during childhood is likely to translate into reduced function for the remainder of life.
"This study shows there are health effects from childhood exposure to traffic exhaust that can last a lifetime," says David A. Schwartz, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). "The NIEHS is committed to supporting research to understand the relationship between environmental exposures and diseases, and to identify ways to reduce harmful exposures to all populations, especially children so they can realize their full potential for healthy and productive lives."
"In many urban areas, population growth is forcing the construction of housing tracts and schools near to busy roadways, with the result that many children live and attend school in close proximity to major sources of air pollution. In view of the magnitude of the reported effects and the importance of lung function as a determinant of adult morbidity (illness) and mortality, reduction of exposure to traffic-related air pollutants could lead to substantial public health benefits."
Commenting on the findings, Stephen Holgate, Medical Research Council Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton, said: "This study in California once again draws attention to the toxic effects of traffic pollution on children's health".