Low level atmospheric sulfur dioxide pollution and childhood asthma

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Annals of Allergy; (USA)

OSTI ID:6076708

Tseng, R Y; Li, C K ^[1]

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1. Chinese Univ. of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

Quarterly analysis (1983-1987) of childhood asthma in Hong Kong from 13,620 hospitalization episodes in relation to levels of pollutants (SO{sub 2}, NO{sub 2}, NO, O{sub 3}, TSP, and RSP) revealed a seasonal pattern of attack rates that correlates inversely with exposure to sulfur dioxide (r = -.52, P less than .05). The same cannot be found with other pollutants. Many factors may contribute to the seasonal variation of asthma attacks. We speculate that prolonged exposure (in terms of months) to low level SO{sub 2} is one factor that might induce airway inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity and predispose to episodes of asthma.

• OSTI ID: 6076708
• Journal Information: Annals of Allergy; (USA), Vol. 65:5; ISSN 0003-4738
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASTHMA
EPIDEMIOLOGY
HONG KONG
AIR POLLUTION
SULFUR DIOXIDE
HEALTH HAZARDS
CHILDREN
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
AGE GROUPS
ASIA
CHALCOGENIDES
DISEASES
HAZARDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
VARIATIONS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology