Asthma in the vicinity of power stations: II. Outdoor air quality and symptoms

Henry, Richard L.; Bridgman, Howard; Wlodarczyk, John; Abramson, Rachel; Adler, Julie A.; Hensley, Michael

doi:10.1002/ppul.1950110210

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…A strong correlation between recurrent wheeze and sensitization has been reported in some [20], but not all studies [21,22]. The association between atopy, as indicated by a positive SPT, and wheezing was fairly low in Estonia in 1992±1993 [8], and it remained low in the present study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Similar prevalence of respiratory symptoms and atopy in Estonian schoolchildren with changing lifestyle over 4 yrs

Riikjärv¹,

Annus²,

Bråbäck³

et al. 2000

Eur Respir J

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The prevalence of allergic sensitization and clinical manifestations is low in Eastern Europe, despite a continuous increase in industrialized countries with a market economy. The aim of the present study was to study changes in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and atopic sensitization over time among schoolchildren in Estonia, in relation to environmental changes as the country transformed into a market economy. A cross‐sectional study of 10‐yr‐old children was carried out between October 1996 and April 1997, employing a questionnaire regarding the prevalence of wheezing, rhinitis and itching rash (n=979) and skin‐prick tests with seven inhalant allergens (n=640). The results were compared with those of a similar study performed in 1992–1993. The 12‐month prevalence of wheeze was 8.3%, as compared to 9.4% in 1992–1993 ( ns) and of asthma was 2.5 versus 3.2% ( ns). The prevalence of a positive skin‐prick test result was 14.3% in both studies. Furthermore, the prevalence of sensitivity to the individual allergens was similar, except for a significantly higher prevalence of dog sensitivity in 1996–1997 (4.7 versus 2.0%). The prevalence of respiratory and other potentially allergic symptoms, as well as the prevalence of atopic sensitization, remains low in Estonian 10‐yr‐old children, despite a changing lifestyle over the past 4 yrs. This could indicate that the time period was too short for environmental changes to affect the prevalence of allergy, or alternatively that risk factors associated with a “western lifestyle” are of particular significance earlier in life.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Similar prevalence of respiratory symptoms and atopy in Estonian schoolchildren with changing lifestyle over 4 yrs

Riikjärv¹,

Annus²,

Bråbäck³

et al. 2000

Eur Respir J

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“…In Australia, epidemiological studies link outdoor air pollution with respiratory disease in children in cities with steel production, while proximity to power stations is associated with lower lung function and higher rates of reported symptoms for asthma in children 5-12 (Henry et al, 1991;Halliday et al, 1993;Lewis et al, 1998). No formal epidemiological studies have been carried out in the Upper Hunter region, however, strongly held community perceptions expressed in newspaper articles and letters, and talk-back radio, suggest that residents in the area suffer high rates of illness from power station emissions, dust, and other industrial pollutants (Dalton, 2003).…”

Section: Relating Ecosystem and Human Distress In The Upper Hunter Rementioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Change and Human Health in Upper Hunter Communities of New South Wales, Australia

et al. 2004

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This article presents the theory and method informing an ongoing study of environmental change and human distress in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The nature of environmental change in the Upper Hunter landscape over the past two centuries is first described, followed by the preliminary results of a long-term study that aims to investigate the nature of residents' understanding of, and responses to, environmental change. Data from in-depth interviews found that the transformation of the environment from mining and power station activities was associated with significant expressions of distress linked to negative changes to interviewees' sense of place, well-being, and control. A new concept, ''solastalgia,'' is introduced to help explain the relationship between ecosystem health, human health, and powerlessness. We claim that solastalgia, as opposed to nostalgia, is a type of homesickness (distress) that one gets when one is still ''at home.'' Future research will aim to validate a questionnaire to test the hypothesis that environmental distress is associated with levels of depression, quality of life, and rates of stress-related disease, as well as activism and environmental rehabilitation.

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“…Geographic differences occur in the prevalence rates of asthma as well, based on more recent studies [5,13]. For instance, there is an increased level of asthma even when risk factors for asthma in different communities may be similar, when there is more pollution from power plants [290], or when there is more pollution from auto exhaust [41,235,263]. The relationship of asthma prevalence (and immunological changes) to auto exhaust was also noted by ZWICK et al [291].…”

Section: Chronic Respiratory Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological studies of the respiratory effects of air pollution

Lebowitz¹

1996

Eur Respir J

112

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Environmental epidemiological studies of the health effects of air pollution have been major contributors to the understanding of such effects. The chronic effects of atmospheric pollutants have been studied, but, except for the known respiratory effects of particulate matter (PM), they have not been studied conclusively. There are ongoing studies of the chronic effects of certain pollutant classes, such as ozone, acid rain, airborne toxics, and the chemical form of PM (including diesel exhaust).Acute effects on humans due to outdoor and indoor exposures to several gases/fumes and PM have been demonstrated in epidemiological studies. However, the effects of these environmental factors on susceptible individuals are not known conclusively. These acute effects are especially important because they increase the human burden of minor illnesses, increase disability, and are thought to decrease productivity. They may be related to the increased likelihood of chronic disease as well. Further research is needed in this latter area, to determine the contributions of the time-related activities of individuals in different microenvironments (outdoors, in homes, in transit). Key elements of further studies are the assessment of total exposure to the different pollutants (occurring from indoor and outdoor sources) and the interactive effects of pollutants.Major research areas include determination of the contributions of indoor sources and of vehicle emissions to total exposure, how to measure such exposures, and how to measure human susceptibility and responses (including those at the cellular and molecular level). Biomarkers of exposures, doses and responses, including immunochemicals, biochemicals and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) adducts, are beginning to promote some basic knowledge of exposure-response, especially the mechanisms. These will be extremely useful additions to standard physiological, immunological, and clinical instruments, and the understanding of biological plausibility. The outcomes of all this work will be the management of risks and the prevention of respiratory diseases related to air pollution. Eur Respir J., 1996Respir J., , 9, 1029Respir J., -1054 This work was supported by USA-NHLBI SCOR Grant HL14136.Previously published reviews of this series 1. Sandström T. Respiratory effects of air pollutants: experimental studies in humans. Eur Respir J 1995; 8: 976-995. 2. Chitano P, Hosselet JJ, Mapp CE, Fabbri LM. Effects of oxidant air pollutants on the respiratory system: insights from experimental animal research. Eur Respir J 1995; 8: 1357-1371. Heyder J, Takenaka S. Long-term canine exposure studies with ambient air pollutants. Eur Respir J 1996; 9: 571-584. This review of epidemiological studies of the respiratory effects of exposures to air pollutants follows excellent reviews of experimental studies in animals and humans that have recently appeared in the Journal [1][2][3]. It has relied both on prior reviews of the topic and on the extensive literature of the major research reports...

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Asthma in the vicinity of power stations: II. Outdoor air quality and symptoms

Cited by 19 publications

References 14 publications

Similar prevalence of respiratory symptoms and atopy in Estonian schoolchildren with changing lifestyle over 4 yrs

Similar prevalence of respiratory symptoms and atopy in Estonian schoolchildren with changing lifestyle over 4 yrs

Environmental Change and Human Health in Upper Hunter Communities of New South Wales, Australia

Epidemiological studies of the respiratory effects of air pollution

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