Exposures to Metals and Diesel Emissions in Air Linked to Respiratory Symptoms in Children

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123125157.htm

ScienceDaily (Nov. 25, 2009) — Exposure shortly after birth to ambient metals from residential heating oil combustion and particles from diesel emissions are associated with respiratory symptoms in young inner city children, according to a new study by researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. The study is among the first to analyze the effects of exposure to airborne metals in this very young population and the findings could have important public health implications.

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The study compared pollutant levels with respiratory symptoms of children between birth and age two living in Northern Manhattan and in the South Bronx, and found that the airborne metals nickel and vanadium, were risk factors for wheezing in young children. Residual oil combustion for heating is a major source in New York City of these metals. Elemental carbon, an indicator of diesel exhaust, was associated with increased frequency of coughing only during cold and flu season (September through April).

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