Diesel exhaust gases permanently damage the development of the lungs

Large city children suffer permanent lung damage from diesel exhaust

Anyone who grows up in a big city risks lifelong impairments to the health of the lungs. In adolescents, diesel fumes inhibit lung growth and make children more susceptible to respiratory disorders. These are the results of a large London long-term study of the development of adolescents in regions of high levels of air pollution over a five-year period.

The diesel exhaust scandal is still in full swing as new explosive facts about diesel exhaust come to light. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, King's College London and the University of Edinburgh found in a study of more than 2,000 adolescents that diesel fumes cause permanent damage to the lungs of children growing up in areas of high levels of air pollution. The results have recently been published in the journal "The Lancet Public Health".

A recent study shows that diesel exhaust gases in children are responsible for permanent developmental disorders of the lungs, as the adolescents grow up in air-polluted regions. (Image: WS-Design / fotolia.com)

Air pollution causes millions of deaths each year

According to the World Health Organization, global air pollution is one of the leading causes of premature mortality. Each year, seven million people die from air pollution, the WHO estimates. Children are particularly at risk. The polluted air leads to breathing difficulties, asthma and increased infectious diseases. The current London study for the first time noted permanent developmental disorders in adolescents due to severe air pollution.

In the London air dominated by the diesel smoke

"Despite improved air quality in London, this study shows that urban diesel pollution affects children's lung development," said Professor Chris Griffiths in a press release on the study's findings. These injuries would increase the risk of lung disease and premature death in adulthood.

The generation of stunted lungs

"We are educating a generation of children who are reaching adulthood with stunted lung capacity," said Griffiths. This process will be supported by an automotive industry that deceives consumers and governments to ensure that diesel vehicles continue to operate freely.

Environmental zones do not lead to the desired successes

Due to massive air pollution, London introduced the world's largest environmental zone in 2008 to promote lower emission technologies in urban areas. However, according to the researchers, this measure has not achieved the desired results.

How diesel fumes permanently harm children's lungs

The team studied 2,164 children from a total of 28 elementary schools in the city of London over a five-year period. At the start of the study, the children were eight to nine years old. All areas did not meet the EU nitrogen dioxide limits. The result: The children from the polluted areas showed a significantly lower lung volume of an average of five percent. According to the researchers, nitrogen oxides (NO2), other nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from diesel emissions have led to this development.

Children with lung disease should not live in polluted areas

The research team advises parents not to allow children with lung disease to grow up in areas that exceed nitrogen dioxide limits. Even if the parental home is not located in such an area, it is enough when the school is in an air-polluted region.

Urgent need for action

"There is an urgent need to improve air quality, especially in our overcrowded cities". Ian Mudway from King's College London. As the data base shows that air pollution has an impact on children's health, it also increases the entitlement to more determined action.

Stepping too slowly?

"It is disappointing that the London Environmental Zone has not helped to improve children's lung capacity," adds Dr. Samantha Walker, director of research and policy at the health organization Asthma UK. This shows that a step-by-step approach to reducing air pollution does not work, summed up the expert. (Vb)