Health effects of ozone focusing on childhood asthma: What is now known - a review from an epidemiological point of view

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

S. I. V. Sousa (Author) FEUP; M. C. M. Alvim-Ferraz (Author) FEUP; F. G. Martins (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Chemosphere

Vol. 90 No. 7

Pages: 2051-2058

ISSN: 0045-6535

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 28 Citations

Scopus - 44 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Associated Projects

UI0511 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - UI 511 - 2013-2014

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-0QP

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.10.063

Abstract (EN): Protecting the health of children and the environment is an essential objective for the health policies of any modern society, being also crucial for a sustainable development, according to the World Health Organization. Evaluating the risk of developing childhood asthma is one of the four priority issues identified by the European Commission, according to the European Union Environment and Health Action Plan. Accordingly, this review aimed to update information concerning the effects of exposure to ozone on childhood asthma, thus helping in the development of strategies for further research. Studies have been demonstrating strong associations between the exposure to ozone and asthma. However, the complexity of exposure patterns, the changes in the vulnerability of children at various stages of development, and the practical limitations of research, lead to a still incomplete understanding of the ozone impact on the health of children. Difficulties on the interpretation of epidemiological studies to evaluate chronic effects are mainly due to an absence of studies designed specifically to address this question and to inherent limitations in characterizing exposure. The more rigorous studies provided new evidences for chronic effects of ozone on small airway function and possibly on asthma, but substantial uncertainties remain.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8