AIR-POLLUTION EXPOSURES AND CHILDRENS HEALTH

The evidence from a large number of studies indicates that exposures t o current out-door air pollution increase respiratory morbidity in chi ldren. Children with asthma, and those with asthma-like symptoms but w ithout a diagnosis of asthma, are considered be at highest risk of exp eriencing short and/or longer-term adverse health effects. Many outdoo r air pollutants readily, penetrate indoors. Indoor air quality can de teriorate quickly when persistent and uncontrolled emissions occur and the ventilation/air exchange rate is reduced. It has been estimated t hat children spend 90% of their time indoors, including in school buil dings, vehicles and public indoor environments. Environmental tobacco smoke is a well-recognized persistent indoor air contaminant with adve rse health effects in children of all ages. Uncontrolled moisture in t he indoor environment is increasingly recognized to significantly incr ease the risk of respiratory morbidity in children. The evidence: that air pollutants singly and in combination with other environmental fac tors elicit; adverse health responses in asthmatic and non-asthmatic c hildren and adolescents, appears irrefutable.