Air Pollution Retards Teen Lung Growth - Study
 (Boston, Reuters Health, 9/8/04)

James Gauderman of the University of Southern California, and colleagues, tracked 1,759 children in twelve southern California communities, testing them for eight years beginning at age 10. The researchers found that those in areas with the highest air pollution had a significantly greater risk of experiencing diminished lung capacity at age 18 than those in the less contaminated areas. The scientists warn that these effects of breathing polluted air may be permanent and, in the long term, can increase the individual’s susceptibility to serious illness.