[Pulmonary function testing of 156 children exposed to automobile pollution in the municipality of Cotonou]
F Messan1, M M Lawani, T Marqueste
1Laboratoire APS et Motricité INJEPS, Universite d'Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 169, Porto-Novo, Bénin. messfly@yahoo.fr
Insights
Children living near traffic face risks to distal airway function. Automobile pollution exposure significantly lowered MEF(25) in most exposed children post-exercise.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
Context:
- Children's respiratory health is influenced by environmental factors.
- Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a significant concern in urban areas.
- Distal airway function is a sensitive indicator of respiratory health.
Purpose:
- To assess the impact of proximity to automobile traffic on distal airway function in children.
- To evaluate lung function parameters, specifically Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV) and Maximal Expiratory Flow at 25% of Forced Vital Capacity (MEF(25)), in relation to traffic exposure.
- To determine if children living closer to busy roads exhibit greater respiratory impairment after physical exertion.
Summary:
- A study involving 156 children compared those living near (15m) and far from (150m) road traffic.
- Lung function tests (FEV, MEF(25)) were conducted before and after a standardized exercise.
- While FEV changes were minimal (<5%), the 'Most Exposed' group showed an 8.65% decrease in MEF(25) post-exercise compared to rest, unlike the 'Less Exposed' group.
Impact:
- Results indicate that chronic exposure to traffic pollutants poses a significant risk to the integrity of children's distal airways.
- This highlights the need for public health interventions to mitigate the effects of TRAP on pediatric respiratory health.
- Findings underscore the importance of considering residential proximity to traffic as a factor in assessing children's respiratory risk.
Aims:
To evaluate the risk of disruption of distal airways in children exposed to pollutants automobiles.
Material And Methods:
Study included 156 children selected assigned in groups "Most Exposed" and "Less Exposed" separated respectively 15 meters and 150 meters of road traffic. Children in both groups were subjected to lung function tests before and after an exercise test that was to perform a series of flexion / extension of the knees to the fatigue. FEV and MEF(25) were parameters selected.
Results:
Change in FEV post exercise of each group is below 5%. The group "Less Exposed" presented a mean value of MEF(25) before exercise similar to that recorded after exercise. Within the group "Most Exposed", the mean value of MEF(25) post exercise is significantly lower than that observed at rest of 8.65%.
Conclusion:
The fact of living permanently near the traffic, poses serious risks of disruption of the distal airways.
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