Children's Health Research

This page last reviewed July 3, 2009

hands holding globe Children's Health Research

Background The Children's Health Research Page is designed to provide information on research specific to children. Children may be more vulnerable to harmful impacts from air pollutants than adults for several reasons. They breathe in more air than adults, relative to their body size, and have greater metabolic growth requirements. They can be more susceptible to impacts from air pollution due to their developing organs and immune system. In additions, their activities create both health and exposure scenarios that are unique for children. The increased vulnerability in children empasizes the need to sponsor and conduct studies on the impact of air pollution on children's health. The Research Division of the Air Resources Board (ARB) is involved in a number of research studies focused on children's environmental health and exposure. On this page we present the studies and programs that are relevant to the children of California. Links to the web pages are listed below.

Health Studies related to Children The ARB has a number of research studies related to children that are both on-going and completed. The completed studies include a long-term study on the effects of chronic air pollution exposures on the health of children living in southern California the Children's Health Study (CHS), a study of the progression of asthma in children in Fresno the Fresno Asthmatic Children's Environment Study (F.A.C.E.S.), an epidemiological study on the effects of air pollution, particularly air toxics, on children with asthma the Huntington Park Asthma Study and refined estimates of residential and school exposure to traffic-related pollutants which examined the effects of traffic pollution on respiratory health outcomes among children the East Bay Kids Study.
The ongoing studies
include studies which will examine the associations between traffic and asthma symptoms, provide additional information related to environmental justice issues, and help develop a model for future traffic studies among children living in economically disadvantaged area the Traffic and Asthma in Economically Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Study , and a study to examine air pollution exposure impacts on approximately 54,500 Californians, including 12,500 children and determine whether the disproportionate burden of asthma or asthma-like symptoms among low socio-economic status individuals is associated with greater pollutant exposures, greater vulnerabilities, or both, compared to the general population the Asthma Disparity among Californians Study.

Exposure Studies related to Children Studies on children's exposure examine the Environmental Health Conditions in California's Portable Classrooms the Portable Classroom Study and characterize the range of children's exposures to diesel vehicle-related pollutants and other vehicle pollutants during commutes to school by school buses the Children's School Bus Exposure Study.

Other Research Activities related to children Other ARB research activities related to children are changes to state law (Senate Bill 25, Escutia 1999) which established specific requirements to examine the impacts of air pollution on children's health SB25 Children's Environmental Health Protection Program , health-based ambient air quality standards to identify outdoor pollutant levels that are considered safe for the public - including those individuals most sensitive to the effects of air pollution, such as children and the elderly. Review of California Ambient Air Quality Standards and scientific support, through research efforts, for ARB's regulatory and non-regulatory programs that aim to protect all California residents, including those sub populations considered especially vulnerable, from the adverse effects of air pollution Vulnerable Populations Research Program (VPRP). The Air Quality and Land Use Handbook gives advice on how to avoid land uses ( Residences, Daycare, Playgrounds, Senior center, Medical Facilities) within 500 feet of the freeway, urban roads with 100,000 vehicles/day, or rural roads with 50,000 vehicles/day which can affect sensitive groups such as children and elderly .

Other links Other issues related to children's health include effects on schools School Health and children's exposure to indoor air pollutants the Indoor Exposure Program and understanding the relationships between asthma and air pollution Asthma and Air Pollution.


For more information about Children's Health Research, please e-mail Dr. Barbara Weller or call at (916) 324-4816

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