Children’s lung size reduced if exposed to traffic pollution

HIGH levels of air pollution are stunting the growth of children’s lungs, a major study has found.

Eight and nine-year-olds exposed to high levels of fumes from diesel cars have up to 10 per cent less lung capacity than normal, the research suggests.

Over six years, researchers examined the lung function of 2,400 children at 25 schools in east London and found a direct correlation between air pollutant exposure and reduced lung growth.

Such children have an increased risk of disease, such as asthma and bronchitis, and the prospect of a permanent reduction in lung capacity.

The tests checked the volume of air each child could breathe, as well as levels of inflammation in their lungs, with urine tests to check for heavy metals produced by vehicles.

“The data show that traffic pollution stops children’s lungs growing proper- ly,” Ian Mudway, a respiratory toxicologist at King’s College London told The

Sunday Times. “The evidence suggests that by 8 to 9 years old, children from the most polluted areas have 5 to 10 per cent less lung capacity and may never get that back.”

The study – led by Prof Chris Griffiths, principal investigator at the Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma – was designed to assess the impact of London’s Low Emission Zone which since 2008 has discouraged larger diesel vehicles such as lorries from entering the capital.

The research found the measure had made no difference. This was “very disappointing”, said Prof Griffiths.

He added: “This raises questions over the Government’s consultation on air quality, which is based around the idea of creating similar low emission zones in up to 30 other polluted urban areas. There appears to be no evidence that these low emission zones can reduce pollution or improve health.”