Impact of air pollution on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in children. Longitudinal repeated-measures study

Abstract

BackgroundSalamanca, Mexico occupied fourth place nationally in contaminating emissions. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of air pollution on the frequency of pulmonary function alterations and respiratory symptoms in school-age children in a longitudinal repeated-measures study.MethodsWe recruited a cohort of 464 children from 6 to 14 years of age, from two schools differing in distance from the major stationary air pollution sources. Spirometry, respiratory symptoms and air pollutants (O3, SO2, NO, NO2, NOx, PM10,) were obtained for each season. Mixed models for continuous variables and multilevel logistic regression for respiratory symptoms were fitted taking into account seasonal variations in health effects according to air pollution levels.ResultsAbnormalities in lung function and frequency of respiratory symptoms were higher in the school closer to major stationary air pollution sources than in the distant school. However, in winter differences on health disappeared. The principal alteration in lung function was the obstructive type, which frequency was greater in those students with greater exposure (10.4% vs. 5.3%; OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.0-3.7), followed by the mixed pattern also more frequent in the same students (4.1% vs. 0.9%; OR = 4.69, 95% CI, 1.0-21.1). PM10 levels were the most consistent factor with a negative relationship with FVC, FEV1 and PEF but with a positive relationship with FEV1/FVC coefficient according to its change per 3-month period.ConclusionsStudents from the school closer to major stationary air pollution sources had in general more respiratory symptoms than those from the distant school. However, in winter air pollution was generalized in this city and differences in health disappeared. PM10 levels were the most consistent factor related to pulmonary function according, to its change per 3-month period.

Parameters of lung inflammation in asthmatic as compared to healthy children in a contaminated city

“…These results are consistent with the well known facts that asthmatic children have more respiratory symptoms, lower lung function, and evidence of airway inflammation compared to non-asthmatic children [4-6] which also increase in places with high air pollution.…”

Peak expiratory flow, breath rate and blood pressure in adults with changes in particulate matter air pollution during the Beijing Olympics: A panel study

“…Other than air pollution, the influence of travel on PEF might be limited, however, because all the physical examinations were conducted in the early morning, inside of the community with an area around 0.27 km 2 . The majority of previous studies have found a association between air pollution and peak expiratory flow level among the most sensitive groups including asthmatic children (Yamazaki et al 2011), children with respiratory illness (Correia-Deur et al 2012), healthy children (Jacobson et al 2012; Linares et al 2010; Oftedal et al 2008), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (Dusseldorp et al 1995), and elderly and occupational populations (Chawla A 2008). Very few studies were conducted in healthy adults and these have reported inconsistent results (van der Zee et al 2000).…”

Environmental Pollution and the Developing Lung

“…Retention of a subject cohort to study over several years is difficult, and results may be confounded, particularly if families move to a region with different exposures. 79 However, despite the methodologic problems, there is strong evidence from at least 9 selected and well-controlled longitudinal studies (reviewed in Table 2, [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79], that children exposed to greater concentrations of complex air pollutants are at risk for not achieving their optimal lung development by the time they attain adulthood.…”