[Short-term effects of ozone on respiratory health of children in Armentières, North of France].
BACKGROUND
We studied short-term respiratory effects of ozone in a panel of 91 ten-year old children from a school in Armentières, North of France.


METHODS
Each child reported twice daily peak expiratory flow rate measurements (mini-Wright) and daily occurrence of respiratory symptoms, from April 1, 1996 to June 30, 1996. Outdoor ozone measurements were obtained from a continuous fixed monitor, located at 850 meters from the school. Ozone effect was examined by regression models, using generalized estimating equations (GEE), with time and weather covariates.


RESULTS
A 30 mg/m(3) increase in the daily maximum 8-hour mean level of ozone was associated with a 1.91 L x min(-1) decrement in evening peak expiratory flow (95% confidence interval [-0.02; 3.84]) and with increased daily prevalence of cough (odds ratio=1.17, 95% confidence interval [0.97; 1.40]), whereas ozone levels stayed moderate (1-hour level<180 microg/m(3)) during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that moderate levels of ozone have still an effect on children's lung.
Declercq
C
C
Observatoire régional de la santé Nord-Pas-de-Calais, 13 rue Faidherbe F 59046 Lille Cedex, France.
Macquet
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V
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010083:Oxidants, Photochemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014887:Weather
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010083:Oxidants, Photochemical; D010126:Ozone