Early childhood lower respiratory illness and air pollution

Hertz-Picciotto, I; Baker, RJ; Yap, PS; Dostal, M; Joad, JP; Lipsett, M; Greenfield, T; Herr, CE; Benes, I; Shumway, RH; Pinkerton, KE; Sram, R

HERO ID

135917

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2007

Language

English

PMID

17938744

HERO ID 135917
In Press No
Year 2007
Title Early childhood lower respiratory illness and air pollution
Authors Hertz-Picciotto, I; Baker, RJ; Yap, PS; Dostal, M; Joad, JP; Lipsett, M; Greenfield, T; Herr, CE; Benes, I; Shumway, RH; Pinkerton, KE; Sram, R
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 115
Issue 10
Page Numbers 1510-1518
Abstract BACKGROUND: Few studies of air pollutants address morbidity in preschool children. In this study we evaluated bronchitis in children from two Czech districts: Teplice, with high ambient air pollution, and Prachatice, characterized by lower exposures. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to examine rates of lower respiratory illnesses in preschool children in relation to ambient particles and hydrocarbons. METHODS: Air monitoring for particulate matter < 2.5 microm in diameter (PM(2.5)) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was conducted daily, every third day, or every sixth day. Children born May 1994 through December 1998 were followed to 3 or 4.5 years of age to ascertain illness diagnoses. Mothers completed questionnaires at birth and at follow-up regarding demographic, lifestyle, reproductive, and home environmental factors. Longitudinal multivariate repeated-measures analysis was used to quantify rate ratios for bronchitis and for total lower respiratory illnesses in 1,133 children. RESULTS: After adjustment for season, temperature, and other covariates, bronchitis rates increased with rising pollutant concentrations. Below 2 years of age, increments in 30-day averages of 100 ng/m(3) PAHs and of 25 microg/m(3) PM(2.5) resulted in rate ratios (RRs) for bronchitis of 1.29 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.07-1.54] and 1.30 (95% CI, 1.08-1.58), respectively; from 2 to 4.5 years of age, these RRs were 1.56 (95% CI, 1.22-2.00) and 1.23 (95% CI, 0.94-1.62), respectively. CONCLUSION: Ambient PAHs and fine particles were associated with early-life susceptibility to bronchitis. Associations were stronger for longer pollutant-averaging periods and, among children > 2 years of age, for PAHs compared with fine particles. Preschool-age children may be particularly vulnerable to air pollution-induced illnesses.
Doi 10.1289/ehp.9617
Pmid 17938744
Wosid WOS:000249904900046
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000249904900046
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword air pollution; bronchitis; children's health; infant; particulate matter; PM(2.5); PAHs; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; respiratory illness; volatile organic compounds
Is Qa No