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Airways changes related to air pollution exposure in wheezing children
P C Martins1, J Valente, A L Papoila
1Departamento de Fisiopatologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, No. 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal. pmartinsalergo@gmail.com
Insights
Children
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Wheezing illnesses in children are a significant public health concern.
- Air pollution exposure is a suspected environmental risk factor for respiratory diseases.
- Understanding the link between specific pollutants and airway changes is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between total individual exposure to air pollutants and airway modifications in wheezing children.
- To quantify the impact of various air pollutants on respiratory function and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) parameters.
- To assess the relationship between pollutant exposure in different microenvironments and respiratory health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal assessment of respiratory status in 51 wheezing children over 16 months.
- Spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, and EBC pH measurements were used to assess airway status.
- Estimation of total air pollutant exposure (PM(10), O(3), NO(2), VOCs) based on direct measurements and modeling at home and school.
Main Results:
- Increased exposure to PM(10), NO(2), benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene correlated with reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) and increased FEV(1) variability.
- Higher NO(2) and benzene exposure was linked to a decrease in the FEV(1)/forced vital capacity ratio.
- Elevated exposure to PM(10), NO(2), benzene, and ethylbenzene was associated with increased acidity in EBC.
Conclusions:
- Total exposure to common air pollutants is associated with adverse airway changes in children with wheezing.
- Particulate matter (PM(10)) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) significantly impact lung function and airway inflammation.
- This study highlights the importance of considering multi-environmental exposure when assessing air pollution's effect on pediatric respiratory health.
Abstract:
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between individual total exposure to air pollution and airway changes in a group of 51 wheezing children. Respiratory status was assessed four times (January 2006, June 2006, January 2007 and June 2007) during a 1-week period through a standardised questionnaire, spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide fraction and pH in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Concentrations of particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm (PM(10)), O(3), NO(2) and volatile organic compounds were estimated through direct measurements with an ad hoc device or air pollution modelling in the children's schools and at their homes in the same 4 weeks of the study. For each child, total exposure to the different air pollutants was estimated as a function of pollutant concentrations and daily activity patterns. Increasing total exposure to PM(10), NO(2), benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene was significantly associated with a decrease of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and with an increase of change in FEV(1). Increasing exposure to NO(2) and benzene was also related to a significant decrease of FEV(1)/forced vital capacity. Increasing exposure to PM(10), NO(2), benzene and ethylbenzene was associated with acidity of EBC. This study suggests an association in wheezing children between airway changes and total exposure to air pollutants, as estimated by taking into account the concentration in the various microenvironments attended by the children.
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