Synthesis of environmental evidence: Nitrogen dioxide epidemiology studies

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1992.10467018· OSTI ID:7159180

Hasselblad, V; Eddy, D M ^[1]; Kotchmar, D J ^[2]

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1. Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)
2. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)

The use of meta-analysis is becoming more common in the medical literature, but it is not common in the environmental literature. Although meta-analysis cannot combine a group of poorly executed, conflicting studies to get an unequivocal answer, there are certain situations where it can be helpful. The inability of studies to produce similar results may be a function of the power of the studies rather than a reflection of their quality. The literature on the effects of nitrogen dioxide on the odds of respiratory illness in children is such an example. Three quantitative methods for the synthesis of this evidence are presented. Although the methods produce slightly different results, the conclusion for all three methods is that the increase in the odds of respiratory illness in children exposed to a long-term increase of 30 {mu}g/m{sup 3} (comparable to the increase resulting from exposure to a gas stove) is about 20 percent. This estimated increase is not sensitive to the method of analysis.

• OSTI ID: 7159180
• Journal Information: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States) Vol. 42:5; ISSN JAWAE; ISSN 1047-3289
• 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
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHILDREN
DISEASES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES