Wheezing in children and adolescents living next to a petrochemical plant in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between wheezing in children and adolescents and living downwind of the dispersion plume of atmospheric pollutants emitted by the Guamaré Petrochemical Complex, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Methods:Cross-sectional study of wheezing in children and adolescents (aged 0 to 14 years) living in the vicinity of the Guamaré petrochemical complex in 2006. The standardized International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used, with additional questions concerning tobacco use, income, living conditions, and educational achievement. Daily concentrations of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , black carbon, SO 2 , NO 2 , O 3 , benzene, toluene, and xylenes were measured at a fixed monitoring station. According to their position relative to wind direction, communities present in the area affected by plant emissions were categorized into one of two groups, exposed communities and reference communities.Results: Two hundred and nine children and adolescents took part in the study. Mean daily concentrations of the monitored pollutants were consistently below established acceptable upper limits. The prevalence of wheezing in the 12 months prior to study was 27.3%. After adjustment, statistically significant associations were found between wheezing and living in exposed communities (adjusted odds ratio [OR adj ] 2.01; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.01-4.01), male gender (OR adj 2.50; 95%CI 1.21-5.18), and age 0 to 6 years (OR adj 5.00; 95%CI 2.41-10.39). Conclusion:Even with low levels of atmospheric pollutants, respiratory symptoms in children and adolescents were associated with living downwind of a petrochemical plant. Male preschoolers were the most vulnerable group. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 209 crianças e adolescentes. As concentrações médias diárias dos poluentes monitorados mantiveramse abaixo dos limites estabelecidos nos padrões de qualidade do ar. A prevalência de sibilos nos últimos 12 meses foi de 27,3%. Associações estatisticamente significantes com sibilos nos últimos 12 meses foram verificadas mesmo após ajustamentos para comunidades expostas [razão de chances (odds ratio, OR ajust ) = 2,01; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) 1,01-4,01], gênero masculino (OR ajust = 2,50; IC95% 1,21-5,18) e idade de 0 a 6 anos (OR ajust = 5,00; IC95% 2,41-10,39). J Pediatr (Rio J) Conclusão:Mesmo em baixas concentrações de poluentes atmosfé-ricos, a ocorrência de sintomas respiratórios em crianças e adolescentes nas comunidades no entorno de um PPQ esteve associada a residência na direção preferencial dos ventos, mostrando-se mais vulnerável o grupo de pré-escolares do gênero masculino.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2010;86(4):337-344

Asthma, respiratory symptoms and lung function in children living near a petrochemical site

“…In contrast to previous studies performed in large populations of children using the ISAAC questionnaire and other similar protocols (Ware et al, 1993, Yang et al, 1998, Loyo-Berríos et al, 2007, White et al, 2009, Wichmann et al, 2009, Moraes et al, 2010and Rusconi et al, 2011, we did not find higher prevalences of asthma and allergic symptoms in children and adolescents living near a petrochemical site compared to those living in the control area. Moreover, in contrast with the only two studies performing spirometry (Wichmann et al, 2009 andRusconi et al, 2011) we did not find a lower lung function.…”

“…Residential proximity to these industrial sites has been linked with cancer, adverse pregnancy outcomes and respiratory disorders (Yang et al, 2004, Whitworth et al, 2008and Brender et al, 2011. The association between asthma symptoms in children and proximity to petrochemical sites has been demonstrated in several studies (Ware et al, 1993, Yang et al, 1998, Loyo-Berríos et al, 2007, Smargiassi et al, 2009, White et al, 2009, Wichmann et al, 2009, Moraes et al, 2010and Rusconi et al, 2011. The largest chemical site in southern Europe and the Mediterranean region is located in Tarragona county (Catalonia, north-eastern Spain).…”

A Review of the Epidemiological Methods Used to Investigate the Health Impacts of Air Pollution around Major Industrial Areas

“…A majority of the studies focused on the respiratory health of children (17 studies), using questionnaires specifically defined for the study or standardized questionnaires such as the ISAAC questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood [39, 45, 47, 54], or the questionnaire from the American Thoracic Society (ATS) [40, 43]. Few studies used additional data from general practitioners (GPs) [12, 13, 49, 59].…”

“…Few studies used additional data from general practitioners (GPs) [12, 13, 49, 59]. Studies involved from 200 to 500 children [41, 43, 47] to more than 3000 children [59]. 6,399 adults were also interviewed in Teesside [12], while in India the respiratory health of 2573 women was investigated [38].…”

“…When measurements were available, they were not always used to assess exposure. For instance, Moraes et al mentioned that concentrations were available for several pollutants (PM, NOx; SO 2 , O 3 , benzene, toluene, and xylenes) but used them for descriptive purposes only (in comparison to the World Health Organization air quality standards) [47]. …”