Kids wheezing Down Under - what about those in HK?
There is less than cheery news from Australia on the subject of air pollution and child health.
A national study of 2,860 primary school children found nitrogen dioxide (NO{-2}), found in motor vehicle exhaust, was present in the lungs of two-thirds of the children from the 55 schools tested, according to Melbourne's The Age newspaper. Researchers found that vehicle pollution is giving otherwise healthy children asthma-like symptoms, potentially affecting their lung growth and function.
In cases where NO{-2} was found, children experienced ''asthma-like'' symptoms, including wheezing. Their lung volume was reduced and their airways inflamed.
The study found that NO{-2} exposure was not producing typical asthma but a non-specific lung effect that did not improve with asthma medication.
The National Environment Protection Council commissioned the Australian Child Health and Air Pollution Study and noted that air pollution has a greater impact on children than adults.