Related Experiment Videos
Ambient air pollution & respiratory symptoms complex in preschool children
S Awasthi1, H A Glick, R H Fletcher
1Department of Paediatrics, King George's Medical College, Lucknow.
Insights
Exposure to ambient air pollutants like suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) is linked to respiratory symptoms in preschool children. Reducing indoor and outdoor pollution is crucial for improving children
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Preschool children are vulnerable to respiratory illnesses.
- Ambient air pollutants (AAP) are a growing concern in urbanizing areas.
- Understanding the link between AAP and respiratory symptoms complex (RSC) in children is vital for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ambient air pollutants (AAP) and respiratory symptoms complex (RSC) in preschool children.
- To identify specific pollutants and indoor exposures contributing to RSC in young children.
- To provide evidence for targeted interventions to improve pediatric respiratory health.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 664 preschool children (1 month to 4.5 years) in Lucknow, India, were followed for six months.
- Respiratory symptoms were assessed through interviews and symptom diaries.
- Exposure to ambient air sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and suspended particulate matter (SPM) was measured through air monitoring.
Main Results:
- The cumulative incidence of RSC was 1.06, with an incidence density of 1.63 per 100 follow-up days.
- Ambient air SPM and SO2 showed a positive correlation with RSC.
- Indoor fuel use (dung cakes, wood, coal, kerosene) and cooking indoors were associated with increased RSC incidence and duration.
Conclusions:
- Ambient air SPM and SO2 are significant risk factors for respiratory symptoms in preschool children.
- Indoor air pollution from cooking fuels and staying indoors during cooking exacerbates respiratory issues.
- Recommendations include reducing ambient air pollution and advising mothers to ensure children are in a separate room during cooking.
Abstract:
To study the association between ambient air pollutants (AAP) and respiratory symptoms complex (RSC) in preschool children, a cohort of 664 children between the ages of 1 month to 4.5 yr were randomly selected from 28 slums (anganwadi centres) of Lucknow, north India. They were followed up fortnightly for six months. The outcomes assessed were presence of RSC at the time of interview and days on which symptoms had occurred in the past week. Exposure to ambient air sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) on the day of the interview or in the week prior, was assessed by ambient air monitoring at 9 centres within the city. The cumulative incidence of RSC was 1.06 and the incidence density per 100 days of follow up was 1.63. All three pollutants were positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with temperature. Ambient air SPM and SO2 and cooking and heating fuels like dung cakes, wood, coal and kerosene and remaining indoors while the food was cooked were associated with increased incidence of RSC, increased duration of symptoms, or both. We conclude that to improve the respiratory health of preschool children, ambient air SPM and SO2 levels should be kept as low as possible and mothers should be advised to keep children in another room while cooking.