Car pollutants can trigger Asthma in children: Experts recommend less exposure to motor vehicle emissions and better public transport

Vehicular exhaust is slated to be the No.1 cause for asthma like symptoms in healthy children. A recent study has revealed that out of 2860 primary school children in Australia had remarkably high levels of nitrogen dioxide in their lungs. Air pollutants that trigger Asthma are ground level ozone which is a toxic compound of smog. This can trigger off asthmatic attacks in children. Ozone is produced at ground level when tailpipe pollution from vehicles reacts with oxygen and sunlight.

This type of pollutant is a major problem in cities of dense traffic conditions. Nitrogen Oxide, a gas emitted from tailpipes are also reacting with air pollutants to form small particles that cause breathing difficulties particularly in children. Children displayed chronic asthma like symptoms while their lung volume was reduced and air passages remained inflamed and restricted causing difficulties in breathing.

Children are more susceptible to these symptoms probably due to playing in the outdoors. Though the impact is miniscule, it could have an adverse effect on children in the long run as their lungs are still in the developing stages while long term exposure could affect them well into adult life. Experts recommend less exposure to motor vehicle emissions, investment in better public transport system and changes in lifestyle to protect children from the harmful effects of vehicular emissions.