Impacts from air pollution on respiratory disease outcomes: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Air pollution is widely acknowledged as a significant factor in respiratory outcomes, including coughing, wheezing, emergency department (ED) visits, and even death. Although several literature reviews have confirmed the association between air pollution and respiratory outcomes, they often did not standardize associations across different studies and overlooked other increasingly impactful pollutants such as trace metals. Recognizing the importance of consistent comparison and emissions of non-exhaust particles from road traffic, this study aims to comprehensively evaluate the standardized effects of various criteria pollutants and trace metals on respiratory health. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles on air pollution and respiratory outcomes published between 1 January 2000, and 1 June 2024. The study included children (age