[Asthma and air pollution. A study of admissions to the Hospital of Saint-Nazaire].
To test the possible influence of atmospheric pollution on the frequency of asthmatic exacerbations we have looked to see whether there is a link between the number of daily admissions for asthma in hospitals in Saint-Nazaire and data from pollution sensors in the network of the Association for the Measurement of Atmospheric Pollution in the Loire estuary. The pollutions studied were sulphur dioxide, oxide of nitrogen (NOx) and non sedimenting dust (black smoke). The meteorological data (speed and direction of the wind and temperature) were also recorded. The study was carried out for 18 months in a retrospective fashion. During this period 372 hospital admissions were recorded in 229 subjects. The number of daily admissions correlated in a significant fashion with the level of black smoke (r = 0.149, p less than 0.001) and this result was particularly due to subjects who were less than 15 years old. In this group the frequency of hospital admission was doubled on those days when the level of smoke was at its most elevated. There was a weak link between the peaks of SO2 (r = 0.116, p less than 0.05). An analysis of the place of residence in those hospitals and the dominant direction of the wind did not enable us to confirm the role of the principal sources of industrial pollution, which were all situated to the east of Saint-Nazaire.
Chailleux
E
E
Service de Pneumologie 1, Hôpital G. et R. Laennec, CHU de Nantes.
Guyon
C
C
Taddeï
F
F
Bouillard
J
J
Pioche
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D012307:Risk Factors; D014887:Weather
D000393:Air Pollutants
Asthme et pollution atmosphérique. Une étude des admissions à l'Hôpital de Saint-Nazaire.