Increased asthma and respiratory symptoms in children exposed to petrochemical pollution.

Background: Epidemiologic studies show statistical associations between levels of air pollutants and respiratory outcomes.

Objective: We sought to determine the effects of exposure to petrochemical pollution on the respiratory health of children.

Methods: Children aged 6 to 12 years living close to the petrochemical plants in La Plata, Argentina (n = 282), were compared with those living in a region with exposure to heavy traffic (n = 270) or in 2 relatively nonpolluted areas (n = 639).