ASTHMA AND OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION

This is the report of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP), which was asked by the UK's Department of Health (DH) to advise on the possible links between outdoor air pollution and asthma from non-biological pollutants. It was asked to advise on: (1) the time trends and geographical pattern of asthma in the UK, and their relationship to air pollution; (2) the role of air pollution in aggravating existing asthma; (3) the possible mechanisms by which air pollution might aggravate or cause asthma; (4) gaps in relevant information; and (5) recommendations for further work. During the last 30 years, childhood asthma in the UK has increased by about 50%, and hospital admissions for it have risen by ten times. During this period, emissions from coal burning have fallen, while emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds from motor vehicles, and particulates from diesel vehicles have increased. However, there is no consistent relationship between the occurrence of asthma and trends in emissions or ambient concentrations of air pollutants. The only forms of outdoor pollution causing asthma seem to be biological. A small proportion of asthma patients may be affected by non-biological air pollution.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Her Majesty Stationary Office

    49 High Holborn
    London WC1V 6HB,   England 
  • Publication Date: 1995

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: 195 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00719914
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • ISBN: 0-11-321958-X
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Apr 26 1996 12:00AM