News and other Busyness

UK Atmos. Fear

Squall 16, Summer 1998, pg. 11.

Childhood Asthma is worse in the United Kingdom than anywhere else in the world, according to a study published in April.

The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, which investigated 56 countries, found asthma in Britain was 20 times worse than in Eastern Europe with up to one in three children suffering from wheezing.

Only New Zealand, Australia and Eire matched Britain's record.

Although pollution is known to trigger attacks in existing asthma sufferers, the study suggests pollution is not a cause of asthma, with heavily polluted areas such as China and Eastern Europe recording low levels.