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Ambient ozone causes upper airways inflammation in children
T M Frischer1, J Kuehr, A Pullwitt
1University Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|October 1, 1993
Summary
High ozone levels significantly increase upper airway inflammation in children, indicated by elevated white blood cell counts. This response is reversible as ozone concentrations decrease, highlighting the health impacts of air pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Air Pollution Toxicology
Background:
- Ozone is a major air pollutant in Western Europe, frequently exceeding summer air quality standards.
- Concerns exist regarding the health effects of ambient ozone concentrations, particularly in vulnerable populations like children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate upper airway inflammation in children following exposure to ambient ozone concentrations.
- To assess the relationship between ozone exposure levels and inflammatory markers in the nasal passages.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 44 children from May to October 1991, with repeated nasal lavages performed.
- Nasal lavages were analyzed for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) counts on days with high (≥180 µg/m³) and low (≤140 µg/m³) ozone exposure.
- Humoral markers of inflammation, including eosinophilic cationic protein, were measured in a subsample.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in mean PMN counts was observed on high ozone days compared to low ozone days (p < 0.01).
- PMN counts showed a downward trend with decreasing ozone concentrations in the fall.
- Eosinophilic cationic protein levels were significantly higher on high ozone days (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Ambient ozone concentrations initiate a reversible inflammatory response in the upper airways of normal children.
- Ozone exposure is linked to increased cellular and humoral markers of inflammation in pediatric nasal passages.