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TOYOTA WA has formed a partnership with Asthma Foundation WA to provide it with a fleet of four new Prius C clean-air vehicles.
Air pollution is a common trigger for people with asthma, with the nitrogen dioxide levels found in vehicle exhaust fumes known to have adverse health effects on people with asthma.
The new Prius was a good match for the organisation as it produces significantly less emissions than a standard vehicle.
“The four vehicles will be utilised by the foundation’s four asthma educators, enabling them to drive to their training and education sessions throughout the metropolitan area with a clear conscience,” a statement from Asthma Foundation WA said.
The foundation said a study of 2,860 primary school children was recently undertaken throughout Australia, revealing that nitrogen dioxide, found in motor vehicle exhaust, was present in the lungs of two thirds of the students tested at the 55 sample schools.
‘‘Although air pollution levels are relatively low in most regions of Australia, they may not be low enough to prevent adverse health effects,” the report said.
Among the children studied, there were 270 with asthma who were asked to keep a diary of their respiratory health. The diaries showed that the children with asthma had increased asthma symptoms and medication use when exposed to NO2.