Proximity of public elementary schools to major roads in Canadian urban areas.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epidemiologic studies have linked exposure to traffic-generated air and noise pollution with a wide range of adverse health effects in children. Children spend a large portion of time at school, and both air pollution and noise are elevated in close proximity to roads, so school location may be an important determinant of exposure. No studies have yet examined the proximity of schools to major roads in Canadian cities.

Methods

Data on public elementary schools in Canada's 10 most populous cities were obtained from online databases. School addresses were geocoded and proximity to the nearest major road, defined using a standardized national road classification scheme, was calculated for each school. Based on measurements of nitrogen oxide concentrations, ultrafine

SUBMITTER: Amram O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3283477 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature