WASHINGTON – The University of Michigan and the federal Environmental Protection Agency will study the effects of air pollution from traffic on children in Detroit.
The agency made the announcement this morning, committing $1.4 million to the joint study with U-M.
Researchers plan to look into the effects of pollutants common near roadways, studying how people are exposed to them, the extent of exposure and the types and severity of health effects. Specifically, the EPA and U-M will study traffic-associated pollution in Detroit and whether it could lead to more severe asthma attacks in children ages 6 to 14 and whether traffic exposure increases the likelihood of respiratory infections.
According to the EPA, more than 45 million people in the U.S. live within 300 feet of a four-lane road, airport or railroad.
“The knowledge gained from this study will arm local governments with the best available science when planning some of their most important projects, such as road and school design,” said Lek Kadeli, acting assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This information will help build safer communities for our children.”
In a recently released report on fitness by the American College of Sports Medicine, Detroit was found to have an asthma rate of 10.2% — higher than the national average.
The EPA says it plans to work with a group of 105 Detroit children suffering from persistent asthma and recruited on the basis of the proximity of their residence to different types of roadways.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090707/NEWS15/90707033/1008/NEWS06
