Bronchial responsiveness in children living in areas with different air pollution levels
- Latium Regional Health Authority, Rome (Italy)
- Catholic Univ., Rome (Italy)
This study evaluated the prevalence of increased bronchial responsiveness (BR) in children living in two areas with different air pollution levels. A total of 1 215 methacholine challenge tests were performed among a random sample of primary school children in an industrial town polluted by oil-fired thermoelectric power plants and in a rural area chosen as a control. The two groups showed similar lung function data (forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV[sub 1.0]]) and prevalence of positive prick tests to common aeroallergens. All children responding with a 20% drop in FEV[sub 1.0] to a methacholine concentration [le] 64 mg/ml, [open quotes]all responders[close quotes] (PC[sub 20]FEV[sub 1.0] [le] 64 mg/ml), and the subgroup of [open quotes]strong responders[close quotes] (PC[sub 20]FEV[sub 1.0] [le] 4 mg/ml) were compared separately with [open quotes]nonresponders[close quotes] (PC[sub 20]FEV[sub 1.0] > 64 mg/ml), calculating odds ratios (ORs). There were more [open quotes]all responders[close quotes] (57.2% versus 41.4%) and [open quotes]strong responders[close quotes] (20.0% versus 14.8%) among subjects living in the industrial area; the excess remained when several potential confounders were taken into account ([open quotes]all responders[close quotes]: OR = 2.0, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.5-2.6; [open quotes]strong responders[close quotes]: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.3-2.8), and it was even more pronounced among girls. When the effect of clinical predictors of increased airways responsiveness was considered through multiple logistic regression, the odds ratios associated with living in the industrial area were still significantly increased in girls. The cross-sectional approach and the lack of individual exposure data limit the interpretation of the findings. However, our study suggests that living in an area with higher air pollution levels, albeit below the standard limits, may enhance BR. 56 refs., 4 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 7033597
- Journal Information:
- Archives of Environmental Health; (United States), Vol. 49:2; ISSN 0003-9896
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHILDREN
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
RURAL AREAS
URBAN AREAS
AGE GROUPS
EVALUATION
FUNCTIONS
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)