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PM10, and children's respiratory symptoms and lung function in the PATY study
Gerard Hoek1, Sam Pattenden, Saskia Willers
1Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. g.hoek@uu.nl
The European Respiratory Journal
|April 24, 2012
Summary
Long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution, specifically particulate matter (PM10), is linked to increased respiratory symptoms in children. This large international study found associations with phlegm, hay fever, bronchitis, and cough, but not asthma or lung function.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Long-term outdoor air pollution effects on children's respiratory health are debated due to inconsistent findings.
- Variability in study design, exposure assessment, and analysis complicates interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between long-term outdoor air pollution exposure and respiratory symptoms/lung function in children.
- To harmonize data from multiple comparable cross-sectional studies for robust analysis.
Main Methods:
- Data from over 45,000 children across 12 countries were analyzed.
- Respiratory symptoms were assessed using standardized questionnaires.
- Exposure was characterized by annual average concentrations of particulate matter (PM10).
- Spirometry was conducted on a subset of participants.
Main Results:
- Increased PM10 concentrations were associated with higher prevalence of phlegm, hay fever, bronchitis, and both morning and nocturnal cough.
- No significant associations were found between PM10 exposure and diagnosed asthma or asthma symptoms.
- PM10 exposure did not show a significant association with lung function across the combined studies.
Conclusions:
- Long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution, indicated by PM10 levels, is associated with an increased reporting of respiratory symptoms in children.
- Further research may be needed to clarify the impact on specific conditions like asthma and overall lung function.
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