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Air Toxins

Policy Statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (June 2021)

Discussing short- and long-term effects of air pollution on children, including exacerbation of respiratory diseases ; reduced lung function development; increased asthma incidence; preterm birth; low birth weight; neurodevelopmental disorders; IQ loss; pediatric cancers; and increased risks for adult chronic diseases)

Ambient Air Pollution: Health Hazards to Children

Increased childhood exposure to traffic-related air pollution resulted in statistically significant increases in carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMD), a marker for early cardiovascular disease

Chronic exposure to air pollutants is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults. However, little is known about how air pollution may affect the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in younger populations. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis that provides insight into early CVD pathogenesis

Childhood traffic-related air pollution and adverse changes in subclinical atherosclerosis measures from childhood to adulthood,” Environ. Health 20(1): 44 (April 2020)

Childhood traffic-related air pollution and adverse changes in subclinical atherosclerosis measures from childhood to adulthood

Childhood exposure to traffic-related pollution results in adverse effects on respiratory health of children

Evidence for a causal relationship between traffic-related air pollution and asthma has not been consistent across studies, and comparisons among studies have been difficult because of the use of different indicators of exposure.

Childhood asthma and exposure to traffic and nitrogen dioxide

Background Traffic-related air pollution has been associated with adverse cardiorespiratory effects, including increased asthma prevalence. However, there has been little study of effects of traffic exposure at school on new-onset asthma. Objectives We evaluated the relationship of new-onset asthma with traffic-related pollution near homes and schools.

Childhood Incident Asthma and Traffic-Related Air Pollution at Home and School

The immune and cardiovascular systems of children are negatively impacted by exposure to air pollution

Ambient air pollution exposure is associated with cardiovascular dysregulation and immune system alterations, yet no study has investigated both simultaneously in children. Understanding the multifaceted impacts may provide early clues for clinical intervention prior to actual disease presentation. We therefore determined the associations between exposure to multiple air pollutants and both immunological outcomes (methylation and protein expression of immune cell types associated with immune regulation) and cardiovascular outcomes (blood pressure) in a cohort of school-aged children (6–8 years; n = 221) living in a city with known elevated pollution levels.

Air Pollution Exposure is Linked with Methylation of Immunoregulatory Genes, Altered Immune Cell Profiles, and Increased Blood Pressure in Children

Traffic-related air pollution has been linked to multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, few studies have examined pregnancy loss, targeting losses identified by hospital records, a large limitation as it does not capture events not reported to the medical system

Higher traffic-related air pollution levels are associated with pregnancy loss, with strongest estimates between the 10th and 20th gestational weeks

Traffic-related Air Pollution and Pregnancy Loss

Traffic-related air pollution, or TRAP, is a type of air pollution that comes from the emissions of motor vehicles that result from fossil fuel combustion, and has been shown to be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. TRAP contributes significantly to outdoor air pollution, especially in urban settings. Children are especially sensitive to air pollution, and there is increasing evidence that exposure to TRAP may impact pregnancy outcomes and child development.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate more than 10% of pregnancies worldwide and are a leading cause of maternal and fetal illness and death. These disorders are defined by hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg), usually during the second half of pregnancy, and range in severity from hypertension alone to multi-organ dysfunction and seizures in the mother. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, mothers with hypertension during pregnancy are more likely to have a pre-term delivery. Their infants are at greater risk for low birthweight and a range of long-term health problems associated with pre-mature birth.