Pollution link to childhood allergies

The risk of developing asthma, hay fever eczema or other allergies is about 50 percent higher for children living 50 yards from a busy road than those living 1,000 yards away.

Previous research has linked pollution to allergies, but to date observational studies in the field have been inconsistent.

Researchers say they will continue to monitor children over the next few years to determine whether moving to a less polluted area can reverse the problem.

The study appears in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.