LEICESTER, England, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- British researchers report young children, ages 1 to 5, living near major highways suffer more coughing attacks than other youngsters.
The BBC said scientists at Leicester University found vehicle pollution -- including nitrogen oxide, ozone and particulates -- is a significant irritant on the airways of young children.
The researchers said microscopic particles produced primarily by diesel engines are thought to be particularly dangerous because they are so tiny. Particulates penetrate deep into a child's lungs, settling in areas where the body's natural clearance mechanisms can't remove them, with resulting tissue damage.
One of the scientists, Dr. Jonathan Grigg, from the university's Children's Asthma Center, said previous research had linked exposure to traffic fumes to wheezing in older children, but not coughing in young children.
Exposure to traffic fumes has also been linked to fertility problems.
The research was presented during a Wednesday meeting of the British Thoracic Society.
