Influence of air pollution on extrinsic childhood asthma

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Ann. Allergy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6323743

Berciano, F A; Dominguez, J; Alvarez, F V

A crossed comparative study was done with 248 extrinsic asthmatic children living either in polluted or non-polluted areas (mean emission per year of sedimentary material greater than or less than 300 mg/m2/day, respectively) to establish the influence of air pollution on childhood extrinsic asthma. The mean number of wheezing crises per year was significantly higher for the children living in polluted areas (10.4 versus 7.69). In addition, incidence of severe asthma (types II, III, and IV) in children living in polluted areas was markedly increased whereas the slight form of asthma (type I) was more frequent in children living in non-polluted areas. No correlation, however, between the wheezing episodes and levels of atmospheric contaminants (fumes and SO/sub 2/) was detected when a group of 84 extrinsic asthmatic children living in polluted areas was studied longitudinally for a year. The data indicate that air pollution, as an isolated agent, plays a transient role in the appearance of wheezing episodes in subjects with extrinsic asthma. Results also suggest that the air pollution may potentiate wheezing episodes via alternative mechanisms.

• Research Organization: Hospital San Agustin, Aviles-Asturias (Spain)
• OSTI ID: 6323743
• Journal Information: Ann. Allergy; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Allergy; (United States) Vol. 62:2; ISSN ANAEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE GROUPS
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
ARACHNIDS
ARTHROPODS
ASTHMA
CHALCOGENIDES
CHILDREN
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISEASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INVERTEBRATES
MITES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TOXICITY