Kids brought up in Southern California have better lung function compared to their counterparts from the mid-1990s. This has happened because of a persistent decrease in air pollution. The results have been concluded by a study conducted over two decades.

The study was conducted on 2,120 children for over three different periods i.e. 1994-98, 1997-2001 and 2007-11.

According to the University of Southern California’s Children’s Health Study, it was found that improvements in air quality were linked to statistically and clinically positive impacts on lung function growth in children.

It was found in the study that there were lung function improvements in all groups of children, which participated in the study. The result was concluded irrespective of sexual orientation, age or race.

Improved lung function was attributed to decreasing levels of particulate contamination, such as PM2.5 and PM10. These two classifications of toxins are dangerous along the Wasatch Front together with nitrogen oxide.

According to W. James Gauderman, the study’s lead author and professor of preventative medicine at the university’s Keck School of Medicine, “We expect that our results are relevant for areas outside Southern California, since the pollutants we found most strongly linked to improved health — nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter — are elevated in any urban environment”.

Gauderman added that they observed considerable improvements in lung function development in their most recent group of children.
It was observed in the study that there was an increased amount of air contamination in Southern California as nation’s biggest seaport is situated here and its vast engine vehicle fleet also contributed to the increased level of pollution. With improved air quality, the rate of lung development for kids also improved.