Ambient Ammonia Exposures in an Agricultural Community and Pediatric Asthma Morbidity

Abstract

Background-Large-scale animal feeding operations compromise regional air quality in the rural United States through emission of pollutants such as ammonia gas. Exposure to airborne pollution from animal feeding operations may cause pediatric asthma exacerbations in surrounding communities. Objectives-To describe spatial and temporal patterns in ambient ammonia concentrations in an agricultural region, and to investigate associations between short-term fluctuations in ammonia and subsequent changes in respiratory health in children with asthma. Methods-For 13 months in the Yakima Valley of Washington State, 14 monitors sampled ammonia in outdoor air for 24-hour periods every 6 days. School-age children with asthma (n=51) were followed for two health outcomes: biweekly reports of asthma symptoms and quick relief medication usage, and daily measurements of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). We assessed associations between each outcome and ammonia using generalized estimating equations.

Lung function in relation to farm dwelling and farming activities in rural dwelling children

“…45 Pulmonary function was found to be affected in children with asthma with elevated or higher ammonia levels. 45 In this study, parents' occupation, such as working with livestock, was taken into account, but children's activity or farm exposure was not. The population under study was considered rural, but no distinction was made between living on farm or not.…”

“…Two more recent studies assessed lung function in a rural paediatric population. 45,46 In one study, Loftus et al evaluated asthma and pulmonary function in relation to ammonia levels and exposure. 45 Pulmonary function was found to be affected in children with asthma with elevated or higher ammonia levels.…”

“…45,46 In one study, Loftus et al evaluated asthma and pulmonary function in relation to ammonia levels and exposure. 45 Pulmonary function was found to be affected in children with asthma with elevated or higher ammonia levels. 45 In this study, parents' occupation, such as working with livestock, was taken into account, but children's activity or farm exposure was not.…”

“…The population under study was considered rural, but no distinction was made between living on farm or not. 45 In another study, Sonappa et al evaluated lung health and potential differences between Indian children dwelling in the UK and in urban or rural India where socio-economic status, tobacco and biomass exposure were associated with FEV 1 and FVC. For this study, those with asthma were excluded.…”

“…Two more recent studies assessed lung function in a rural paediatric population . In one study, Loftus et al .…”