New Study is First to Show that Traffic Pollution Causes Childhood Asthma

"Traffic pollution is a known trigger of asthma symptoms, but a new study suggests a much more direct link: European researchers say that traffic pollution may cause 14 percent of childhood asthma, putting it on par with second-hand smoke," writes Sheila M. Eldred. 

As the study's lead author, Dr Laura Perez, explained to the European Lung Foundation:

Air pollution has previously been seen to trigger symptoms but this is the first time we have estimated the percentage of cases that might not have occurred if Europeans had not been exposed to road traffic pollution. In light of all the existing epidemiological studies showing that road-traffic contributes to the onset of the disease in children, we must consider these results to improve policy making and urban planning.