Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Visualizing Lung Cellular Adaptations during Combined Ozone and LPS Induced Murine Acute Lung Injury
14:48

Visualizing Lung Cellular Adaptations during Combined Ozone and LPS Induced Murine Acute Lung Injury

Published on: March 21, 2021

Risk of asthmatic episodes in children exposed to sulfur dioxide stack emissions from a refinery point source in

Audrey Smargiassi1, Tom Kosatsky, John Hicks

  • 1Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Département de santé environnementale et santé au travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada. asmargia@santepub-mtl.qc.ca

Environmental Health Perspectives
|May 15, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2) from petroleum refinery emissions increases asthma episodes in young children. This includes emergency department visits and hospitalizations, highlighting risks near refineries.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Air Pollution Epidemiology

Background:

  • Limited data exists on the respiratory health impacts of short-term exposure to petroleum refinery emissions in young children.
  • Previous ecologic studies indicated higher respiratory hospitalization rates in children residing near petroleum refineries in Montreal, Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between short-term variations in sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels and asthma episodes in children aged 2-4 years living near petroleum refineries.
  • To quantify the risk of asthma exacerbations related to specific SO2 exposure metrics.

Main Methods:

  • A time-stratified case-crossover design was employed, analyzing emergency department visits and hospital admissions from 1996 to 2004.
  • Daily SO2 levels were estimated using fixed-site monitors and the AERMOD atmospheric dispersion model.
  • Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios, adjusting for temperature, humidity, and other air pollutants.

Main Results:

  • Increased risk of asthma emergency department visits (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00-1.22) and hospitalizations (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.10-1.82) were associated with same-day peak SO2 levels (interquartile range) estimated by AERMOD.
  • The association was stronger for peak SO2 exposures compared to mean SO2 levels and for same-day exposures (lag 0).

Conclusions:

  • Short-term increases in SO2 from refinery emissions are linked to a greater number of asthma episodes in children living in proximity to these facilities.
  • Findings underscore the potential respiratory health risks for children exposed to industrial air pollution.
Abstract

Keywords:
asthmacase crossoverchildrendispersion modelingemergency department visitshospital admissionspoint sourcerefineryshort-term exposuresulfur dioxide

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes: