Abstract

BACKGROUND
Air pollution is associated with a substantial burden on human health; however, the most important pollutants may vary with location. Proper monitoring is necessary to determine the effect of these pollutants on respiratory health.
OBJECTIVES
This study was designed to evaluate the role of outdoor, indoor and personal exposure to combustion-related pollutants NO(2) and O(3) on respiratory health of children in a non-affluent urban area of São Paulo, Brazil.
METHODS
Levels of NO(2) and O(3) were continuously measured in outdoor and indoor air, as well as personal exposure, for 30 days using passive measurement monitors. Respiratory health was assessed with a Brazilian version of the ISAAC questionnaire.
RESULTS
Complete data were available from 64 children, aged 6-10 years. Respiratory morbidity was high, with 43 (67.2%) reporting having had wheezing at any time, 27 (42.2%) wheezing in the last month, 17 (26.6%) asthma at any time and 21 (32.8%) pneumonia at any time. Correlations between levels of NO(2) and O(3) measured in the three locations evaluated were poor. Levels of NO(2) in indoor air and personal exposure to O(3) were independently associated with asthma (both cases P=.02), pneumonia (O(3), P=.02) and wheezing at any time (both cases P<.01). No associations were seen between outdoor NO(2) and O(3) and respiratory health.
CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to higher levels of NO(2) and O(3) was associated with increased risk for asthma and pneumonia in children. Nonetheless, the place where the pollutants are measured influences the results. The measurements taken in indoor and personal exposure were the most accurate.

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Authors

Vieira SE, Stein RT, Ferraro AA, Pastro LD, Pedro SS, Lemos M, da Silva ER, Sly PD, Saldiva PH

Institution

Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. sandra@hu.usp.br

Source

Archivos de bronconeumología 48:11 2012 Nov pg 389-95

MeSH

Air Pollutants
Air Pollution, Indoor
Asthma
Brazil
Child
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Monitoring
Female
Filtration
Housing
Humans
Male
Nitrogen Dioxide
Ozone
Pneumonia
Poverty Areas
Questionnaires
Respiratory Sounds
Risk Factors
Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Urban Health
Vehicle Emissions

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article

Language

eng spa

PubMed ID

22763046