Childhood exposure to fine particulate matter and black carbon and the development of new wheeze between ages 5 and 7 in an urban prospective cohort

Abstract

Background While exposures to urban fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and soot-black carbon (soot-BC) have been associated with asthma exacerbations, there is limited evidence on whether these pollutants are associated with the new development of asthma or allergy among young inner city children. We hypothesized that childhood exposure to PM2.5 and the soot-BC component would be associated with the report of new wheeze and development of seroatopy in an inner city birth cohort. Methods As part of the research being conducted by the Columbia Center of Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) birth cohort study in New York City, two-week integrated residential monitoring of PM2.5, soot-BC (based on a multi-wavelength integrating sphere method), and modified absorption coefficient (Abs*; based on the smoke stain reflectometer) was conducted between October 2005 and May 2011 for 408 children at age 5–6 years old. Residential monitoring was repeated 6 months later (n=262) to capture seasonal variability. New wheeze was identified through the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires during up to 3 years of follow-up and compared to a reference group that reported never wheeze, remitted wheeze, or persistent wheeze. Specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E against cockroach, mouse, cat, and dust mite and total IgE levels were measured in sera at ages 5 and 7 years. Results PM2.5, soot-BC, and Abs* measured at the first visit were correlated moderately with those at the second visit (Pearson r > 0.44). Using logistic regression models, a positive association between PM2.5 and new wheeze was found with adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence intervals] of 1.51 [1.05–2.16] per interquartile range (IQR). Positive but nonsignificant association was found between the development of new wheeze and soot-BC and (OR 1.40 [0.96–2.05]), and Abs* (OR 1.57 [0.91–2.68]); Significantly positive associations were found between air pollutant measurements and new wheeze when restricting to those participants with repeat home indoor measurements 6 months apart. Associations between pollutants and IgE levels were not detected. Conclusions Our findings suggest that childhood exposure to indoor air pollution, much of which penetrated readily from outdoor sources, may contribute to the development of wheeze symptoms among children age 5 to 7 years.

Environmental effects on immune responses in patients with atopy and asthma

“…1-3 Using data from the Childrens Health Study in Southern California where exposure to traffic-related air pollution is relatively high, almost 40% of asthma exacerbations were attributable to exposure to air pollution. 4 Within the New England, New Jersey and New York area that was studied in one public health impact analysis, 72% of the population live in densely populated cities with elevated ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) concentrations.…”

Domestic airborne black carbon levels and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate among children in New York City

“…Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM), diesel exhaust particles (DEP) and combustion by-products has been implicated in asthma development and morbidity (Clark et al, 2010; Jung et al, 2012). Early life exposure to traffic-related air pollutants and living in proximity to point sources that contribute to airborne PM have been associated with elevated risk of asthma in young children (Clark et al, 2010).…”

“…Proximity to roadway has been associated with increased asthma prevalence and report of wheeze in children living in southern California (McConnell et al, 2006). Indoor levels of PM were found to be associated with development of wheeze at ages 5–7 years in an inner-city cohort in New York City (NYC) (Jung et al, 2012). However the effect of these exposures on underlying biological processes in the airways that may lead to these outcomes has not been completely elucidated.…”

Fabrication and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibrous Composite Membrane for Air Filtration

“…PM2.5 represents the particulate matters with a diameter of 2.5 microns, which is the most harmful part of polluted air for people since it can penetrate and lodge deep inside the lungs. Chronic exposure to particles contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as of lung cancer [1][2][3][4][5]. Around 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide caused by air pollution and the greatest number was in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions according to WHO record in 2012 [6].…”