Can outdoor air pollution contribute to respiratory diseases in children?
There is clear evidence that air pollution is associated with troublesome respiratory symptoms in children, but it is less clear whether specific pollutants are directly responsible. Key air pollutants that can affect childrens health are particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide. This pollution is mainly linked to road traffic or industrial processes. More.. Air pollution, especially particulate matter and ozone, can trigger asthma attacks and can also worsen other respratory symptoms such as wheezing. Whether specific pollutants may actually cause asthma is less clear. More.. In Europe, pollens from different plant species are responsible for 10-20% of allergies. Studies disagree on whether air pollution may affect pollen-related allergies. Global climate change might 26-Oct-2005areas and to extend their pollen season, but it is not clear to what extent this would affect allergic diseases. More..
