In the December issue of Pediatrics, The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Environmental Health has issued a new policy statement that strengthens their stand on the dangers that air pollution poses to children. The new statement updates their previous 1993 statement which focused on ozone. The new statement has been expanded to include particulate matter and air toxins such as diesel. The Academy notes that air pollution exacerbates asthma in some children, and can negatively affect lung growth and function and lead to higher occurrences of respiratory tract illness, premature birth, and infant mortality.
The policy statement is meant to inform physicians and provide guidance to government officials and other policymakers involved in long-range plans to clean up the air. Recommendations include: pediatricians playing a crucial role in educating policymakers and others about the hazards of air pollution; and building schools away from polluted areas.
For more information, please see:
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2004/12/08/hscout522721.html
To view the new statement in its entirety, please see:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;91/6/1210.pdf
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