Exhaust from cars and diesel trucks contain high concentrations of the ultrafine particulate matter.

These particles have a high degree of toxicity, with concentrations directly related to traffic density.

Studies link pollution from vehicles with brain damage.

A substantial and growing body of scientific evidence has linked airborne toxic pollution from motor vehicles, trains and aircraft to significant health problems, especially in children, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, irregular heartbeat, heart attack and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

But now we’re learning more about what it does to our brains as well as the fact that it may increase the risk of lung and vascular damage.

The same study also found that the fields close to major highways exposed children to levels of ambient ozone above levels shown to cause airway inflammation, abnormal lung function, and asthma exacerbation, with the highest levels in the warmer afternoon hours when games and practices are held and traffic is at its peak.