BACKGROUND: Urban air pollution can trigger asthma symptoms in children, but there is conflicting evidence on effects of long-term exposure on lung function, onset of airway disease and allergic sensitization. METHODS: The spatial distribution of nitrogen oxides from traffic (traffic-NOx) and inhalable particulate matter from traffic (traffic-PM10) in the study area was assessed with emission databases and dispersion modeling. Estimated levels were used to assign first-year exposure levels for children in a prospective birth cohort (n = 4089), by linking to geocoded home addresses. Parents in 4 Swedish municipalities provided questionnaire data on symptoms and exposures when the children were 2 months and 1, 2, and 4-year-old. At 4 years, 73% of the children underwent clinical examination including peak expiratory flow and specific IgE measurements. RESULTS: Exposure to air pollution from traffic during the first year of life was associated with an excess risk of persistent wheezing (odds ratio [OR] for 44 microg/m3 [5th-95th percentile] difference in traffic-NOx = 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.36). Similar results were found for sensitization (measured as specific IgE) to inhalant allergens, especially pollen (OR for traffic-NOx = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.10-2.53), at the age of 4 years. Traffic-related air pollution exposure during the first year of life was also associated with lower lung function at 4 years of age. Results were similar using traffic-NOx and traffic-PM10 as indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to moderate levels of locally emitted air pollution from traffic early in life appears to influence the development of airway disease and sensitization in preschool children.
BACKGROUND: Urban air pollution can trigger asthma symptoms in children, but there is conflicting evidence on effects of long-term exposure on lung function, onset of airway disease and allergic sensitization. METHODS: The spatial distribution of nitrogen oxides from traffic (traffic-NOx) and inhalable particulate matter from traffic (traffic-PM10) in the study area was assessed with emission databases and dispersion modeling. Estimated levels were used to assign first-year exposure levels for children in a prospective birth cohort (n = 4089), by linking to geocoded home addresses. Parents in 4 Swedish municipalities provided questionnaire data on symptoms and exposures when the children were 2 months and 1, 2, and 4-year-old. At 4 years, 73% of the children underwent clinical examination including peak expiratory flow and specific IgE measurements. RESULTS: Exposure to air pollution from traffic during the first year of life was associated with an excess risk of persistent wheezing (odds ratio [OR] for 44 microg/m3 [5th-95th percentile] difference in traffic-NOx = 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.36). Similar results were found for sensitization (measured as specific IgE) to inhalant allergens, especially pollen (OR for traffic-NOx = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.10-2.53), at the age of 4 years. Traffic-related air pollution exposure during the first year of life was also associated with lower lung function at 4 years of age. Results were similar using traffic-NOx and traffic-PM10 as indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to moderate levels of locally emitted air pollution from traffic early in life appears to influence the development of airway disease and sensitization in preschool children.
Authors: Heather A Hochstetler; Mikhail Yermakov; Tiina Reponen; Patrick H Ryan; Sergey A Grinshpun Journal: Atmos Environ (1994) Date: 2011-03-01 Impact factor: 4.798
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Authors: Rachel L Miller; Robin Garfinkel; Cynthia Lendor; Lori Hoepner; Zheng Li; Lovisa Romanoff; Andreas Sjodin; Larry Needham; Frederica P Perera; Robin M Whyatt Journal: Pediatr Allergy Immunol Date: 2009-12-09 Impact factor: 6.377
Authors: Tania Maes; Sharen Provoost; Ellen A Lanckacker; Didier D Cataldo; Jeroen A J Vanoirbeek; Benoit Nemery; Kurt G Tournoy; Guy F Joos Journal: Respir Res Date: 2010-01-21