Allergy and Asthma Rates 50% Higher Near Roads

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

A study of nearly 6,000 children in Munich has found that children are much more likely to develop asthma, allergies and skin rashes if they live near major roads.

Vehicle tailpipes emit nitrogen oxides, volatile organic chemicals and fine particulates (soot). While U.S. laws have cracked down on the worst polluters, diesel engines, air quality near major roads is known to be worse than in other areas.

The study, by Joachim Heinrich of the German Research Center for Environment and Health at the Institute of Epidemiology, is to be published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a publication of the Thoracic Society.

"[Children] living very close to a major road are likely to be exposed not only to a higher amount of traffic-derived particles and gases but also to a more freshly emitted aerosols which may be more toxic," Heinrich writes. "Our findings provide strong evidence for the adverse effects of traffic-related air pollutants on atopic diseases as well as on allergic sensitization."

The study focused on four- and six-year-olds, and controlled for other factors that might influence lung health, like socioeconomic status, the presence of a pet in the home, parental allergies and the number of siblings sharing the home.

Even eliminating those causes, the road had an important influence on the children's health. Proximity was linked to asthma, hay fever, eczema and allergic sensitizations.

How close is too close?

Those children living within about 165 feet of a major road had a 50% greater chance of developing allergies.

"We consistently found strong associations between the distance to the nearest main road and the allergic disease outcomes," Heinrich wrote. "Children living closer than 50 meters to a busy street had the highest probability of getting allergic symptoms, compared to children living further away."

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental...ighway-47061301

[mendeleev 68]

The US hasn't really "cracked down" on NOx emissions from diesels. Caved in is more like it. Both Europe and Japan are requiring SCR technology to reduce NOx from diesels -- but here in the States opposition from diesel engine manufacturers and oil companies prevents that from happening.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Whats NOX?

[Ban Hammer 13,356]

Whats NOX?

isn't that a vj member?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Now that I think about it I think he meant nitrogen oxide

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think that's been known for quite a while now that urban air pollution makes people more susceptible to athsma and allergies.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Whats NOX?

isn't that a vj member?

No, that's MOX.

[Ban Hammer 13,356]

Whats NOX?

isn't that a vj member?

No, that's MOX.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I think that's been known for quite a while now that urban air pollution makes people more susceptible to athsma and allergies.

Right. I do wonder what the article means by 'major road' though. Are we talking I-95 through northern VA during rush hour or something much smaller?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think that's been known for quite a while now that urban air pollution makes people more susceptible to athsma and allergies.

Right. I do wonder what the article means by 'major road' though. Are we talking I-95 through northern VA during rush hour or something much smaller?

They probably define that in the study - though I would have thought the thinking is 'the busier the road, the worse the risk' or something like that.

[HAL 9000 96]

STFU all you hippie liberals. Just because some studies come out linking the two to roads and cars doesn't mean they are to be blamed for real... Jeez... its like all you crazy, clueless liberals all want is for all of us to stop driving completely and turn our economy into a third world nation. Thereby opening up our borders to illegal alien terrorists that want to take our jobs and clog our emergency rooms!!!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

STFU all you hippie liberals. Just because some studies come out linking the two to roads and cars doesn't mean they are to be blamed for real... Jeez... its like all you crazy, clueless liberals all want is for all of us to stop driving completely and turn our economy into a third world nation. Thereby opening up our borders to illegal alien terrorists that want to take our jobs and clog our emergency rooms!!!

Actually, the argument being made here is a very conservative one.

Liberals favor denser housing. Denser housing tends to be close to roadways.

Conservatives prefer 'in the middle of nowhere' living; this study supports that approach!

[HAL 9000 96]

STFU all you hippie liberals. Just because some studies come out linking the two to roads and cars doesn't mean they are to be blamed for real... Jeez... its like all you crazy, clueless liberals all want is for all of us to stop driving completely and turn our economy into a third world nation. Thereby opening up our borders to illegal alien terrorists that want to take our jobs and clog our emergency rooms!!!

Actually, the argument being made here is a very conservative one.

Liberals favor denser housing. Denser housing tends to be close to roadways.

Conservatives prefer 'in the middle of nowhere' living; this study supports that approach!

You crazy commie. We will be waiting for you out in the boonies. I tell you, all you want is for us plebeans to stop driving and for your elite SUVs to guzzle up all the gas out there so you can drive to your elitist friends' parties to hug trees over in your elitist urban enclaves.

While our economy suffers as you also raise our taxes, too!

[KarenCee 3]

I will say this...by virtue of personal experience. Since moving from the city to the country, albeit a small city, my asthma has dramatically improved. Of course, a lot of this was due to the type house we lived in, but it was in the city as well. Lots of traffic since where we lived had high amounts of traffic b/c it is a touristy area. Anywho, that's just me and my experience. I've gone from major doses of Advair, Singulair, and neb usage to maintenance level Advair only and only using an inhaler on occasion. As for me, I'm glad I no longer live in the city. Like I said, this is just my experience.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I think that's been known for quite a while now that urban air pollution makes people more susceptible to athsma and allergies.

Right. I do wonder what the article means by 'major road' though. Are we talking I-95 through northern VA during rush hour or something much smaller?

Probably grossly smaller, like MD-198/MD-28 through Rockville or Laurel.