Can Pollution Really Cause Asthma?

Research at the University of California suggests pollution may be a causal factor in developing asthma.

Researchers studied a group of Rhesus monkeys placed in a controlled environment described as "similar to Mexico City" for a few months. The animals subsequently developed symptoms similar to Asthma, such as reduced Lung capacity, wheezing and sensitivity to the dust-mite allergen.

Meanwhile, a recent comparison of childhood asthma rates in the former East and West Germany found Asthma rates were significantly lower in the more heavily polluted eastern provinces.

Surprisingly, since the introduction of the Clean Air Act in the UK which dramatically reduced levels of air pollution over the last 20 years, the amount of asthma cases in the UK has risen.

Tuesday, 30 January 2001