Rationale: Although cigarette smoking is the most important cause of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), a substantial proportion of COPD cases cannot be explained by …

■ Abstract The incidence of allergic respiratory diseases and bronchial asthma appears to
be increasing worldwide, and people living in urban areas more frequently experience these …

Background Whether exposure to air pollution adversely affects the growth of lung function
during the period of rapid lung development that occurs between the ages of 10 and 18 …

Children's exposure to air pollution is a special concern because their immune system and
lungs are not fully developed when exposure begins, raising the possibility of different …

Background Whether local exposure to major roadways adversely affects lung-function
growth during the period of rapid lung development that takes place between 10 and 18 …

Children seem to be most vulnerable to the harmful effects of ambient air pollutants because
their defence mechanisms are still evolving and because they inhale a higher volume of air …

Lung function in early life has been shown to be an important predictor for peak lung
function in adults and later decline. Reduced lung function per se is associated with …

Lung function is an important measure of respiratory health and a predictor of
cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. Over the past 2 decades, more than 50 …

The adverse health effects of air pollution became widely acknowledged after severe
pollution episodes occurred in Europe and North America before the 1960s. In these areas …

Background: Urban air pollution can trigger asthma symptoms in children, but there is
conflicting evidence on effects of long-term exposure on lung function, onset of airway …