Air Pollution from Truck Traffic and Lung Function in Children Living near Motorways

TLDR

Motorized traffic is a major source of air pollution, yet few studies have examined respiratory health in residents living near busy roads. The study assessed lung function in children from six Dutch motorway‑adjacent areas, measuring exposure via automobile and truck counts and monitoring school air pollution levels. Higher truck traffic density and black smoke concentrations were linked to reduced lung function, especially in children living within 300 m of motorways and in girls, suggesting diesel exhaust particles may impair pulmonary health.

Abstract

The contribution of motorized traffic to air pollution is widely recognized, but relatively few studies have looked at the respiratory health status of subjects living near busy roads. We studied children in six areas located near major motorways in the Netherlands. We measured lung function in the children, and we assessed their exposure to traffic-related air pollution using separate traffic counts for automobiles and trucks. We also measured air pollution in the children's schools. Lung function was associated with truck traffic density but had a lesser association with automobile traffic density. The association was stronger in children living closest (< 300 m) to the motorways. Lung function was also associated with the concentration of black smoke, measured inside the schools, as a proxy for diesel exhaust particles. The associations were stronger in girls than in boys. The results indicate that exposure to traffic-related air pollution, in particular diesel exhaust particles, may lead to reduced lung function in children living near major motorways.