Air pollution: a threat to the health of our children.
METHODS
Current air pollution levels pose a threat to the health of children starting from conception. The scientific evidence is presented for mortality, morbidity, and sub-clinical effects. The first section deals with exposure data, the following sections with the evidence of health effects from epidemiology and toxicology leading to recommendations.


RESULTS
Improved air quality reduces the number of infants' deaths as well as disease and pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Medical doctors have a responsibility to know the facts and to advise their patients. Doctors when visiting their patients' homes should be aware of the possibly grave impact of the indoor environment for the respiratory health of their patients. They should recognize and advise the parents on problems associated with environmental tobacco smoke, poor ventilation, mould growth, and maintenance of heating installations. With regard to outdoor air pollution, doctors could serve as role models and also advise their patients and parents on environmentally friendly behaviour. Such behaviour not only calls for personal commitment but also for the right infrastructure to be provided (e.g. public transport, district heating). Doctors should be proactive in the community and in their country as advocates for a healthier environment for our children.
Moshammer
Hanns
H
Institute for Environmental HealthCentre for Public Health, Medical University, Vienna. hanns.moshammer@meduniwien.ac.at
Bartonova
Alena
A
Hanke
Wojtek
W
van den Hazel
Peter
P
Koppe
Janna G
JG
Krämer
Ursula
U
Ronchetti
Roberto
R
Sram
Radim J
RJ
Wallis
Max
M
Wallner
Peter
P
Zuurbier
Moniek
M
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D010126:Ozone