Children exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution before they are born are more likely to suffer from asthma as children according to a study of Toronto neighbourhoods. The study also found that children in close proximity to high-traffic areas are more likely to suffer from asthma.
Researchers analyzed the health and residential records of 909 children across Toronto.
The findings show that 70 per cent of the children in the study had moved from their birth neighbourhood. The researchers believe this indicates that air pollution during pregnancy and early life is related to the development of asthma.
Original research paper published in the Health & Place on June 26, 2015.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
Ketan Shankardass, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, & Centre for Research on Inner City Health in the Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
