Long-term exposure to close-proximity air pollution and asthma and allergies in urban children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of urban air pollution, assessed through reliable indicators of exposure, on asthma and allergies in schoolchildren.A validated dispersion model combining data on traffic conditions, topography, meteorology and background pollution was used to relate 3-yrs averaged concentrations of major urban pollutants at the sites of schools to skin prick tests, exercise-induced asthma and reported asthma and allergies in 6,683 children (9-11 yrs) attending 108 schools randomly selected in six French communities.For the 4,907 children who had resided at their current address for the past 3 yrs, asthma (exercise induced, past year and lifetime) was significantly positively associated with benzene, SO 2 , particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 mm (PM10), nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and CO. In the same children, eczema (lifetime and past year) was significantly positively associated with benzene, PM10, NO 2 , NO x and CO, lifetime allergic rhinitis with PM10 and sensitisation to pollens with benzene and PM10. Among the 2,213 children residing at their current address since birth, the associations persisted for lifetime asthma with benzene (adjusted OR per interquartile range (95% CI) 1.3 (1.0-1.9)) and PM10 (1.4 (1.0-2.0)), and for sensitisation to pollens with volatile organic compounds (1.3 (1.0-1.9)) and PM10 (1.2 (1.0-1.9)).Accurately modelled urban air pollution was associated with some measures of childhood asthma and allergies.

Fine and coarse particulate air pollution in relation to respiratory health in Sweden

“…A study conducted in France also showed positive associations between exposure to PM2.5-10 and hospitalisation for respiratory infections in children [23]. Another French study, using a dispersion model, found positive associations between PM10 exposure and asthma and allergies in children [24].…”

Impact of air quality on lung health: myth or reality?

“…Using a cross-sectional design and an enhanced ISAAC protocol for outcomes, 6683 children in the French Six Cities Study were studied with exposures based on a 3-year dispersion model for each school address to assign individual school exposures [Penard-Morand et al 2010]. Asthma was significantly associated with benzene, SO 2 , PM10, NOx and CO levels; allergic rhinitis was only associated with PM10 levels.…”

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

“…A study of 4907 French children found associations of both lifetime and 1-year history of AD with NO x , CO, NO 2 , PM 10 , and benzene pollutants [101]; these are major urban pollutants believed to be primarily influenced by vehicular traffic. A US population-based study found the prevalence of childhood AD to be associated with mean annual NO 2 , sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and sulfur trioxide (SO 3 ), but inversely associated negatively with mean annual nitrate (NO 3 ), organic carbon (OC), PM 2.5 , and PM 10 [98].…”