Two Million Child Asthma Cases Linked to Vehicle Emissions Every Year

Children who regularly breathe in toxic air become more susceptible to asthma. This is according to George Washington University researchers who conducted a study on traffic linked to NO2 or nitrogen dioxide and new asthma cases among children beginning the year 2000 until 2019 in over 13,000 cities.

Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant that is released through vehicle fumes or tailpipes, industrial sites, and power plants. These sources are found all over the world, with 139 cities and towns situated in the UK. 

The researchers also found that approximately 1.85 million new cases of asthma involving children are linked to NO2. About two-thirds of these cases happened in urban communities. Around 86% of children and adults in various cities globally are regularly exposed to PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) levels that are over the WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines. 

In the United Kingdom, over 10,000 of the cases come from London, 2,550 from Birmingham, followed by 1,440 cases in Leeds, and 1,220 cases in Glasgow. 

In other parts of the world – specifically in South Asia, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa – toxic air numbers are rising as well. High levels of nitrogen dioxide expose children to significant risks of developing asthma and other respiratory problems. Asthma cases among children specifically abound in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and these cases are also linked to nitrogen dioxide pollution.

George Washington University Professor Susan Anenberg confirmed that NO2 exposure increases children’s risk of asthma, especially for those who reside in urban communities. The study’s findings, according to her, are proof that reducing emissions and cleaning the air are critical factors in protecting children and keeping them healthy. 

The study focused on fine particulate matter that’s only around 2.5 micrometres and therefore easy to inhale and get into the lungs and bloodstream. It can lead to health conditions such as lower respiratory infection, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular issues. 

As per research findings, PM2.5 concentrations in all urban communities in 2019 were estimated at 35µg/m3, which exceeds the 5µg/m3 2019 WHO guideline by at least seven times. 

What the research proves is the need for governments and related authorities to produce programs dedicated to improving the quality of air and eliminating the need to use petrol and diesel fuels. Removing carbon from cities and towns is an essential element in protecting children and improving human health while also keeping the environment safe.

Why diesel vehicles are unsafe

Diesel vehicles are primary sources of diesel emissions, particularly of nitrogen oxide (NOx). 

NOx is an extra reactive gas that has NO2 and nitric oxide (NO) as primary components. It produces pollutants such as acid rain and smog. It’s also responsible for the existence of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that makes vegetation, such as plants and crops, weak and exposed to damage and frost. 

Nitrogen oxide is also a trigger for people with mental health issues. If you are exposed to NOx emissions, you can have more frequent episodes of anxiety and depression. Additionally, your cognitive abilities may also be affected, and you can develop Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

NOx exposure can result in a change in lifestyle because of the negative impacts it has on your health. Low-level exposure can result in asthma and other respiratory issues, lung problems, and difficulty in breathing. High-level exposure, on the other hand, can lead to serious health conditions, such as cancer, laryngospasm and asphyxiation, cardiovascular diseases, and premature death. 

In the past few years, numerous reports have come out showing evidence that exposure to NOx emissions can lead to early death. The first such case happened in London in 2013 when Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah died after a severe asthma attack. She had been in and out of the hospital and ER for consecutive months for various respiratory issues. An inquest on her death was requested and in December 2020, the coroner officially identified air pollution as the primary cause of her early death. 

Diesel emissions scandal

Ever since Ella’s death, the UK government has been trying to produce one program after another to reduce diesel emissions and clean the air.  Authorities have also been going after carmakers involved in the Dieselgate scandal, a major incident that started in 2015 with the Volkswagen Group but has since become a global scam. 

The Volkswagen Group was found to have installed defeat devices that were used to manipulate emissions during regulatory testing. In the lab, the vehicles appeared to have emission levels lower than the WHO-mandated limits but once they were on real roads, they released exceedingly elevated levels of NOx. Customers were tricked into believing that the vehicles they purchased were clean and safe for the environment. 

It wasn’t only Volkswagen that manipulated emissions – and their customers – other carmakers did so, too, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Vauxhall.

Diesel claim

If you think your vehicle releases elevated levels of NOx, you should bring forward a diesel claim against your carmaker and receive compensation for the dangers you were exposed to.

 “How can I start my diesel claim?”

If you’ve been asking yourself this question, you should know you need to verify your eligibility first before you can make a diesel claim. ClaimExperts.co.uk has all the information you need to start your claim. Visit their website now.