Home heating and respiratory symptoms among children in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
In this study, the authors assessed whether home heating with a glass-fronted solid fuel fire (GFF) affected the respiratory health of children in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Questionnaires were mailed to 2,480 households within 4 medical general practice areas of the city. Respiratory symptoms, tobacco exposure, socioeconomic status, and crowding were studied. The authors found statistically significant relationships (p < 0.001) between GFF heating and wheeze, cough, and asthma diagnosis (odds ratios [ORs] = 3.23, 2.91, and 1.83, respectively). After controlling for tobacco exposure, social deprivation, and crowding, GFF heating remained associated with wheeze, cough, and asthma diagnosis (ORs = 2.47, 2.20, and 1.81, respectively). Respiratory symptoms were triggered 6 times more often when GFF heating was turned on, compared with when it was off. A pilot environmental study of 19 homes determined that levels of particulate matter with diameters < or = 10 microm (PM10) were significantly higher when GFF heating was on. Home heating with GFF is associated with respiratory symptoms in children; in fact, PM10 levels may be the causal link.
Bothwell
Janice E
JE
Department of Child Health, Institute of Clinical Science, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
McManus
Lisa
L
Crawford
Vivienne L S
VL
Burns
Gerry
G
Stewart
Moira C
MC
Shields
Michael D
MD
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006361:Heating / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires