Air pollution from diesel traffic can worsen asthma

London, Dec 6 - Air pollution from diesel traffic could worsen asthma, a chronic respiratory disease characterised by sudden recurring attacks of laboured breathing, chest constriction and coughing affects, a new study has said.

A group of scientists in Britain found greater reduction in lung capacity of people with asthma when exposed to diesel traffic. However, they don't know if there is same effect with petrol traffic or in people without asthma.

The scientists examined the lung functions of about 60 people with mild or moderate asthma. The participants walked for two hours along Oxford Street in London, where only buses and taxis are allowed.

Then on a separate occasion they walked for two hours in traffic-free Hyde Park in the city, reported online edition of BBC News.

Lung function tests done before and after the walks showed a greater reduction in lung capacity and more inflammation in the lungs after the participants exposed to diesel traffic than in the park, researchers said.

'The negative effects were greater in those with worse asthma to start with,' study leader Dr Paul Cullinan at Royal Brompton Hospital in London said.

'It very clearly and vividly demonstrates the negative impact diesel fumes have on lung, especially in asthmatics.'

The new study was the first are al-life' study the scientists claimed that showed lung function was worse in patients who spent two hours in a place where air pollution from diesel traffic found high.

Previous studies had looked at the effects of pollution on a population level.

Diesel engines can generate more than 100 times more particles than petrol engines. The smaller the particle, the deeper it can be inhaled into the lungs and very small particles may even be absorbed into the bloodstream, the researchers said.

The results are published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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