Ambient Air Pollution: Health Hazards to Children

TLDR

Ambient outdoor air pollution is a recognized global health problem, with growing evidence that even low levels cause respiratory symptoms, asthma exacerbations, preterm birth, infant mortality, impaired lung growth, and possibly asthma development, especially in children and infants. The statement advises pediatricians on integrating air‑quality issues into patient education and environmental advocacy, and recommends government actions to strengthen air‑pollution policies for child protection. The statement synthesizes recent literature on ambient air pollution’s adverse effects on children and offers a regulatory perspective.

Abstract

Ambient (outdoor) air pollution is now recognized as an important problem, both nationally and worldwide. Our scientific understanding of the spectrum of health effects of air pollution has increased, and numerous studies are finding important health effects from air pollution at levels once considered safe. Children and infants are among the most susceptible to many of the air pollutants. In addition to associations between air pollution and respiratory symptoms, asthma exacerbations, and asthma hospitalizations, recent studies have found links between air pollution and preterm birth, infant mortality, deficits in lung growth, and possibly, development of asthma. This policy statement summarizes the recent literature linking ambient air pollution to adverse health outcomes in children and includes a perspective on the current regulatory process. The statement provides advice to pediatricians on how to integrate issues regarding air quality and health into patient education and children's environmental health advocacy and concludes with recommendations to the government on promotion of effective air-pollution policies to ensure protection of children's health.