Air pollution and respiratory diseases in children in São Paulo, Brazil.

Air pollution in the huge conurbation of São Paulo, Brazil (13 million inhabitants) has been mapped from air quality monitoring stations. In three contrasted sample areas, children's respiratory health parameters were collected to assess the roles of poverty and poor housing against those of air pollution. Respiratory ill-health is clearly shown to vary with pollution levels and there is evidence that socio-economic conditions aggravate the problem.