Effect of indoor nitrogen dioxide on lung function in urban environment

Abstract

a b s t r a c tBackground: High levels of indoor NO 2 are associated with increased asthma symptoms and decreased expiratory peak flows in children. We investigated the association of exposure to domestic indoor NO 2 , objectively measured in winter and spring, with respiratory symptoms and lung function in a sample of adolescents from a southern Mediterranean area. Methods: From a large school population sample (n ¼2150) participating in an epidemiological survey in the urban area of the City of Palermo (southern Italy), a sub-sample of 303 adolescents was selected which furnished an enriched sample for cases of current asthma. All subjects were evaluated by a health questionnaire, skin prick tests and spirometry. One-week indoor NO 2 monitoring of their homes was performed by diffusive sampling during spring and again during winter. Results: We found that about 25% of subjects were exposed to indoor NO 2 levels higher than the 40 mg/m 3 World Health Organization limit, during both spring and winter. Moreover, subjects exposed to the highest indoor NO 2 concentrations had increased frequency of current asthma (p ¼0.005), wheeze episodes in the last 12 months (po0.001), chronic phlegm (p¼ 0.013), and rhinoconjunctivitis (p¼ 0.008). Finally, subjects with a personal history of wheeze ever had poorer respiratory function (FEF 25-75% , p ¼0.01) when exposed to higher indoor NO 2 concentrations. Conclusions: Home exposure to high indoor NO 2 levels frequently occurs in adolescents living in a southern Mediterranean urban area and is significantly associated with the risks for increased frequency of both respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function.

Indoor air quality in schools of a highly polluted south Mediterranean area

“…[23][24][25] School indoor environments frequently present poor IAQ due to high indoor CO 2 concentration: This is associated with decrease in annual average daily attendance 26 and students' performance. [23][24][25] School indoor environments frequently present poor IAQ due to high indoor CO 2 concentration: This is associated with decrease in annual average daily attendance 26 and students' performance.…”

“…Furthermore, several factors such as poor buildings quality, lack of hygiene procedures, and insufficient ventilation (natural and/or mechanical) may worsen schoolchildren's exposure to indoor pollutants. [23][24][25] School indoor environments frequently present poor IAQ due to high indoor CO 2 concentration: This is associated with decrease in annual average daily attendance 26 and students' performance. 27,28 In addition, biological agents, such as endotoxins and dust mite allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-Der p 1), can significantly affect the air quality in school environments.…”

Seasonal variation of indoor and outdoor air quality of nitrogen dioxide in homes with gas and electric stoves

“…Nitrogen dioxide is an urban air pollutant whose emissions in outdoor air are mainly caused by road traffic, power plants, and industrial processes, while combustion appliances such as gas stoves and heaters as well as vented appliances with defective installations are the principal indoor sources that may generate very high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and thus contribute importantly to personal exposure (Chaloulakou et al 2008;Dennekamp et al 2001;Lewné et al 2004). Some researchers have found that the use of gas stoves with poor ventilation is the dominant activity influencing indoor concentration of nitrogen dioxide and increasing the risk of adverse health effects (Belanger et al 2006;Cibella et al 2015;Willers et al 2006). The relationship between exposure to nitrogen dioxide and health effects has been confirmed in a number of epidemiological studies.…”

Cryogenic circulation for indoor air pollution control

“…9 (Challoner and Gill, 2014;Cibella et al, 2015;Xie et al, 2015), and high levels of NO 2 are associated with increased respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function (Cibella et al, 2015;Kattan et al, 2007). Fig.…”