A new study has revealed that air pollution is slowing lung development in children in the United Kingdom.
Scientists conducted a detailed review of more than 5,000 individuals born in and around Bristol during the 1990s, tracking them from birth to adulthood.
The children’s lung function tests were first carried out at the age of eight, then at 15 years, and again at the age of 24, when the lungs are generally considered to have reached full development.
During the study, experts assessed the impact of air pollution on the children, including fine toxic particles, pollution emitted by diesel vehicles and nitrogen dioxide produced by fossil gas boilers.
The research also examined the level of pollution exposure children faced during every stage of pregnancy and throughout each year of childhood.
Professor Anne Hansell, the lead researcher from University of Leicester, said that experts spent years estimating the effects of air pollution during pregnancy and early life, using traffic data obtained from Bristol City Council.
