storyhill.net Aug. 21, 2006

Asthma severity worse near freeways, study finds

Aug. 21 -- People with asthma who live near freeways and other high-traffic roads are three times as likely to require emergency room treatment or hospitalization than are asthmatics who do not live near busy streets, according to a new study.

The study, by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, said the burden of living near freeways is disproportionately borne by low-income and minority communities.

"This data shows that living near heavy traffic poses significant health risks for children and adults suffering from asthma," said Ying-Ying Meng, a senior research scientist at the center and lead author study. "Many ethnic/racial minority and low-income asthma sufferers do not have a choice about whether or not to live near heavy traffic, so anything that can be done to continue to control traffic-related emissions will go a long way toward protecting these sensitive populations."

The study's findings are especially significant to Milwaukee because the Department of Transportation is weighing potential expansion of the North-South I-94 freeway, which could bring traffic significantly closer to homes, parks, and schools.

The study compared 2001 Los Angeles and San Diego health interview data with traffic counts provided by the California Department of Transportation. It considered populations living within 500 feet of roadways.

The study found that 22 percent percent of children with asthma who live near heavy traffic had at least one asthma-related emergency room visit or hospitalization in the previous 12 months, while eight percent of those who live in low traffic areas had one.

Some eight percent of adults with asthma living in high-traffic areas had an asthma-related ER visit or hospitalization in the previous 12 months, while 3 percent of those who live in low traffic areas had one.

The study suggests "that further reduction of traffic-related air pollution is needed to reduce the burden of asthma, especially among low-income and racial / ethnic minority groups," the study said.

While air quality has improved, "levels of ozone and particulate matter pollution remain unhealthy in many parts of the country," the study said.

Even in areas that meet clean air standards -- which Milwaukee does not -- "existing air quality levels may still adversely affect sensitive populations, such as those with asthma."