title: Health impacts of frequent heavy automobile traffic on children and adolescents.
abstract: This paper assesses the extent to which particulate, elemental and organic carbon emissions from heavy traffic in urban city roads affect the health of children and the adolescent health. Although the health effects of exposures may be cumulative, it is in the adolescence that the manifestations are realized. This paper therefore, assesses the best way forward for monitoring and preventing the environmental health impacts of heavy traffic on children and adolescents who live within the vicinity of urban city transportation systems. Major urban cities such as Houston, New York, and California are cited as examples of cities where health-related problems have already been reported. The particulate, elemental and organic carbon emissions are reviewed as the sources by which heavy traffic and the hazardous chemical emissions affect the health of the populace. The role of accessory loading and engine speed on idling emissions in direct health risks of children and adolescents is evaluated. The association of particulate, elemental, and organic carbon emission with respiratory effects (including, allergies and asthma), and the related behavior problems in children and the adolescents are discussed. The best strategies in preventing the effects of heavy traffic in the urban cities are suggested by introducing new effective monitoring techniques and exposure assessment methods. It is visualized that a more comprehensive research is needed to develop robust regulatory systems that would control the efficiency of automobiles and prevent the adverse health effects relating to heavy traffics in urban city roads. Strong city environmental health authorities-community partnerships relevant to exposure information should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, United States of America. akpanakpan2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Akpan I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Akpan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001336:Automobiles; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D001335:Vehicle Emissions