The associations between gas cooking stoves, indoor NO2 concentrations, and adverse sleep outcomes in a pediatric
Jing Wang1,2, Seyni Gueye-Ndiaye1,3,4, Xiaoyu Li5
1Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.
Insights
Elevated indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were linked to shorter sleep duration in children. Improving indoor air quality may enhance pediatric sleep health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Indoor Air Quality
Background:
- Gas cooking stoves are a source of indoor air pollution, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
- Pediatric sleep duration and quality are crucial for development and well-being.
- Existing research on indoor air pollutants and pediatric sleep is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between gas stove exposure, indoor NO2 levels, and sleep outcomes in children.
- To determine if elevated indoor NO2 concentrations correlate with short sleep duration or sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
Main Methods:
- In-home sleep assessments were conducted on children in urban Boston.
- Indoor NO2 concentrations were continuously monitored for 7 days.
- Logistic regression analyzed associations between NO2 exposure and sleep outcomes (short sleep duration, SDB), adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Children exposed to elevated indoor NO2 showed significantly higher odds of short sleep duration (adjusted OR=2.88).
- Gas cooking stove exposure was not associated with adverse sleep outcomes.
- A non-significant positive association was observed between indoor NO2 and SDB.
Conclusions:
- Elevated indoor NO2 concentrations are associated with increased odds of short sleep duration in pediatric populations.
- Interventions to improve indoor air quality could be a strategy to enhance children's sleep health.
- Addressing indoor air pollution may help reduce pediatric sleep disparities.
Study Objectives:
To investigate whether gas cooking stove exposure and elevated indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration were associated with adverse sleep outcomes in a pediatric sample.
Methods:
Children from urban neighborhoods in Boston, Massachusetts underwent in-home sleep assessments. Indoor NO2 concentrations were measured continuously over 7 days by devices placed in the participants' living areas. Primary outcomes were short sleep duration (average 7-day sleep duration <8 h by wrist actigraphy), and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB; ≥5 events/hour with ≥3% desaturation by a home sleep monitor). Associations between gas cooking stove exposure and elevated NO2 (≥ 69.48 ppb) with each sleep outcome were assessed through logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors and season. Sensitivity analyses further adjusted for health conditions, kitchen ventilation, and various sources of indoor NO2.
Results:
Of the 242 children, 74% (n = 178) were exposed to gas cooking stoves. The median (interquartile range) of the average daily 95th percentile indoor NO2 was 41.1 (38.4) ppb. Children exposed to elevated indoor NO2 level were at a 2.88 increased adjusted odds (95% CI: 1.27, 6.55, p = .012) of short sleep duration compared to children exposed to lower levels. A positive but insignificant relationship between indoor NO2 exposure and SDB was found (odds ratios = 1.23, 0.61, 2.47). Gas cooking stove exposure was unassociated with any sleep outcome.
Conclusions:
Exposure to elevated indoor NO2 was associated with higher odds of short sleep duration in children. Interventions targeting indoor air quality may provide a novel approach for improving sleep health and reducing pediatric sleep disparities.
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