One in five new childhood asthma cases in the UK could be linked to trafficpollution, new research suggests.

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide, which is mainly emitted from road transport, appears to be a “substantial” risk factor for the condition, according to a study in journal The Lancet Planetary Health.

The researchers estimate that four million new cases of childhood asthma globally – 13 per cent of those diagnosed – could be attributable to nitrogen dioxide pollution every year.

In the UK, they suggest 19 per cent of new childhood asthma cases every year are attributable to nitrogen dioxide pollution.

Source: The Independent