A Review of Epidemiological Evidence on Short-Term Effects of Environmental Factors on Respiratory Problems in Children

A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that children are more vulnerable than adults to environmental factors because children are growing and their rapidly developing organ systems are particularly vulnerable. Between the burden of environmental risks that children are exposed to, outdoor air pollution is one of the main factors responsible of their respiratory health. Evidence for effects of air pollution on children has been rising and its effects are seen at concentrations that are common today. Although the role of air pollution in exacerbating existing illness as bronchitis or pneumonia has been well known, recent evidence has implicated pollution exposure with the development of asthma and atopy in children. On the other hand, little attention has been paid yet to the role of another environmental factors as pollen concentrations and urban noise levels over children health, which effects require additional investigation. About noise, recent studies suggest that the combined effects of chronic exposure to traffic related air pollution and noise upon the risk of respiratory diseases in children.