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A Panel Study on Lung Function and Bronchial Inflammation among Children Exposed to Ambient SO₂ from an Oil Refinery
Fabio Barbone1, Dolores Catelan2, Riccardo Pistelli3
1Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy. fabio.barbone@burlo.trieste.it.
Insights
Children exposed to sulphur dioxide (SO₂) experienced reduced lung function and increased airway inflammation. This study highlights the harmful effects of SO₂ peaks, suggesting a need for regulatory action to protect children's respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Children's respiratory health is vulnerable to air pollution.
- Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) is a common air pollutant near industrial sites.
- Previous studies suggest SO₂ impacts respiratory function, but acute effects in children require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the acute effects of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) exposure on respiratory function in children.
- To investigate the relationship between SO₂ levels and lung function parameters like FEV1 and FeNO.
- To determine dose-response relationships for SO₂ exposure and respiratory outcomes in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Two population-based longitudinal studies involving 233 children (ages 8-14) near an oil refinery.
- Monthly spirometry (Panel 5) and weekly spirometry with FeNO measurements (Panel 20) were conducted.
- Multiple regression models analyzed associations between SO₂, NO₂, PM₁₀, O₃, and respiratory function, considering lag times.
Main Results:
- A 10 µg/m³ increase in SO₂ was associated with a significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in both study panels.
- A strong dose-response relationship was observed, with higher SO₂ peaks leading to greater FEV1 reduction.
- SO₂ exposure was also linked to a significant increase in fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), indicating airway inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Acute exposure to sulphur dioxide (SO₂) significantly impairs lung function in children.
- SO₂ exposure is associated with increased airway inflammation, evidenced by elevated FeNO levels.
- The findings underscore the urgent need for regulatory interventions to mitigate the adverse respiratory effects of SO₂ peaks on children.
Abstract:
To determine the acute effects on respiratory function of children exposed to sulphur dioxide (SO₂), we conducted two population-based longitudinal investigations near a major oil refinery. We enrolled 233 children, age 8⁻14, in Sarroch (Italy). The first study entailed five monthly spirometric visits (Panel 5). In a subgroup, children positive for history of respiratory symptoms were tested weekly (20 times) with spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement (Panel 20). Baseline questionnaires and daily diaries were recorded. SO₂, NO₂, PM10 and O₃ were measured by monitoring stations. Multiple regression models were fitted. Using a multipollutant model, we found that a 10 µg/m³ SO₂ increase at lag0⁻2 days determined a percent variation (PV) of -3.37 (90% confidence interval, CI: -5.39; -1.30) for forced expiratory volume after one second (FEV1) in Panel 5 and a PV = -3.51 (90% CI: -4.77; -2.23) in Panel 20. We found a strong dose-response relation: 1-h SO₂ peaks >200 µg/m³ at lag2 days = FEV1 PV -2.49. For FeNO, we found a PV = 38.12 (90% CI: 12.88; 69.01) for each 10 µg/m³ SO₂ increase at 8-h time lag and a strong dose-response relation. Exposure to SO₂ is strongly associated with reduction of lung function and an increase in airway inflammation. This new evidence of harmful effects of SO₂ peaks should induce regulatory intervention.
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