Air pollution from traffic and the development of respiratory infections and asthmatic and allergic symptoms in children.
Despite the important contribution of traffic sources to urban air quality, relatively few studies have evaluated the effects of traffic-related air pollution on health, such as its influence on the development of asthma and other childhood respiratory diseases. We examined the relationship between traffic-related air pollution and the development of asthmatic/allergic symptoms and respiratory infections in a birth cohort (n approximately 4,000) study in The Netherlands. A validated model was used to assign outdoor concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter less than 2.5 micro m in aerodynamic diameter, and "soot") at the home of each subject of the cohort. Questionnaire-derived data on wheezing, dry nighttime cough, ear, nose, and throat infections, skin rash, and physician-diagnosed asthma, bronchitis, influenza, and eczema at 2 years of age were analyzed in relation to air pollutants. Adjusted odds ratios for wheezing, physician-diagnosed asthma, ear/nose/throat infections, and flu/serious colds indicated positive associations with air pollutants, some of which reached borderline statistical significance. No associations were observed for the other health outcomes analyzed. Sensitivity analyses generally supported these results and suggested somewhat stronger associations with traffic, for asthma that was diagnosed before 1 year of age. These findings are subject to confirmation at older ages, when asthma can be more readily diagnosed.
Brauer
Michael
M
School of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. brauer@interchange.ubc.ca
Hoek
Gerard
G
Van Vliet
Patricia
P
Meliefste
Kees
K
Fischer
Paul H
PH
Wijga
Alet
A
Koopman
Laurens P
LP
Neijens
Herman J
HJ
Gerritsen
Jorrit
J
Kerkhof
Marjan
M
Heinrich
Joachim
J
Bellander
Tom
T
Brunekreef
Bert
B
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D009426:Netherlands; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
D000393:Air Pollutants; D001335:Vehicle Emissions