Inês Paciência1,2,3, João Cavaleiro Rufo1,2,3, Diana Silva1, Carla Martins1, Francisca Mendes1, Mariana Farraia1, Luís Delgado1, Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes2, Patrícia Padrão3,4, Pedro Moreira3,4, Milton Severo3,5, Henrique Barros3,5, André Moreira1,3,4. 1. Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal. 2. Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), Porto, Portugal. 3. EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. 4. Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e, Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. 5. Departamento de Epidemiologia Clínica, Medicina Preditiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Indoor air contaminants may act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However, to what extent these contaminants affect health is poorly known. We aimed to assess the association between EDCs exposure and asthma, respiratory symptoms and obesity in schoolchildren. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional analysis of 815 participants from 20 schools in Porto, Portugal, were analysed. Symptoms were assessed, asthma was defined on lung function, and airway reversibility and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. The concentrations of 13 volatile organic compounds and 2 aldehydes identified as EDCs were measured in 71 classrooms throughout 1 week. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the effect of co-exposure. Associations were estimated by regression coefficients using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Increased individual and combined EDCs levels were found in classrooms having more children with asthma and obesity. Higher levels of hexane, styrene, cyclohexanone, butylated hydroxytoluene and 2-butoxyethanol were associated with obesity, and higher levels of cyclohexanone were associated with increased child BMI. Toluene, o-xylene, m/p-xylene and ethylbenzene were significantly associated with nasal obstruction. A positive association was found between PC1 and the risk of obese asthma (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.01, 1.98) and between PC2 and overweight (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.28, 1.79). PC1 and PC2 were also associated with nasal obstruction, and PC2 was associated with breathing difficulties and lean body mass, although EDCs concentrations were low. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings further support the role of EDCs in asthma and obesity development. Moreover, even low levels of indoor exposure may influence the risk of asthma, respiratory symptoms and obesity.
BACKGROUND: Indoor air contaminants may act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However, to what extent these contaminants affect health is poorly known. We aimed to assess the association between EDCs exposure and asthma, respiratory symptoms and obesity in schoolchildren. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional analysis of 815 participants from 20 schools in Porto, Portugal, were analysed. Symptoms were assessed, asthma was defined on lung function, and airway reversibility and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. The concentrations of 13 volatile organic compounds and 2 aldehydes identified as EDCs were measured in 71 classrooms throughout 1 week. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the effect of co-exposure. Associations were estimated by regression coefficients using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Increased individual and combined EDCs levels were found in classrooms having more children with asthma and obesity. Higher levels of hexane, styrene, cyclohexanone, butylated hydroxytoluene and 2-butoxyethanol were associated with obesity, and higher levels of cyclohexanone were associated with increased child BMI. Toluene, o-xylene, m/p-xylene and ethylbenzene were significantly associated with nasal obstruction. A positive association was found between PC1 and the risk of obese asthma (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.01, 1.98) and between PC2 and overweight (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.28, 1.79). PC1 and PC2 were also associated with nasal obstruction, and PC2 was associated with breathing difficulties and lean body mass, although EDCs concentrations were low. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings further support the role of EDCs in asthma and obesity development. Moreover, even low levels of indoor exposure may influence the risk of asthma, respiratory symptoms and obesity.
Authors: Francisca de Castro Mendes; Inês Paciência; João Cavaleiro Rufo; Diana Silva; Pedro Cunha; Mariana Farraia; Luís Delgado; Pedro Moreira; André Moreira Journal: ERJ Open Res Date: 2019-11-04
Authors: Rosa A Sola-Martínez; Gema Lozano-Terol; Julia Gallego-Jara; Eva Morales; Esther Cantero-Cano; Manuel Sanchez-Solis; Luis García-Marcos; Pedro Jiménez-Guerrero; José A Noguera-Velasco; Manuel Cánovas Díaz; Teresa de Diego Puente Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-07-05 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Francisca de Castro-Mendes; Pedro Cunha; Inês Paciência; João Cavaleiro Rufo; Mariana Farraia; Diana Silva; Patrícia Padrão; Luís Delgado; André Moreira; Pedro Moreira Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-05 Impact factor: 3.390