The effect of ambient air pollution on respiratory health of school children: a panel study.
BACKGROUND
Adverse respiratory effects of particulate air pollution have been identified by epidemiological studies. We aimed to examine the health effects of ambient particulate air pollution from wood burning on school-age students in Christchurch, New Zealand, and to explore the utility of urine and exhaled breath condensate biomarkers of exposure in this population.


METHODS
A panel study of 93 male students (26 with asthma) living in the boarding house of a metropolitan school was undertaken in the winter of 2004. Indoor and outdoor pollution data was continuously monitored. Longitudinal assessment of lung function (FEV1 and peak flow) and symptoms were undertaken, with event studies of high pollution on biomarkers of exposure (urinary 1-hydroxypyrene) and effect (exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH and hydrogen peroxide concentration).


RESULTS
Peak levels of air pollution were associated with small but statistically significant effects on lung function in the asthmatic students, but not healthy students. No significant effect of pollution could be seen either on airway inflammation and oxidative stress either in healthy students or students with asthma. Minor increases in respiratory symptoms were associated with high pollution exposure. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels were raised in association with pollution events by comparison with low pollution control days.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no significant effect of ambient wood-smoke particulate air pollution on lung function of healthy school-aged students, but a small effect on respiratory symptoms. Asthmatic students show small effects of peak pollution levels on lung function. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene shows potential as a biomarker of exposure to wood smoke in this population; however measurement of EBC pH and hydrogen peroxide appears not to be useful for assessment of population health effects of air pollution.Some of the data presented in this paper has previously been published in Kingham and co-workers Atmospheric Environment, 2006 Jan; 40: 338-347 (details of pollution exposure), and Cavanagh and co-workers Sci Total Environ. 2007 Mar 1;374(1):51-9 (urine hydroxypyrene data).
Epton
Michael J
MJ
Canterbury Respiratory Research Group, Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 4345, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand. michael.epton@chmeds.ac.nz
Dawson
Robin D
RD
Brooks
Wendy M
WM
Kingham
Simon
S
Aberkane
Teresa
T
Cavanagh
Jo-Anne E
JA
Frampton
Christopher M
CM
Hewitt
Tracey
T
Cook
Julie M
JM
McLeod
Susan
S
McCartin
Fiona
F
Trought
Katherine
K
Brown
Leslie
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D001944:Breath Tests; D002648:Child; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006361:Heating; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000378:metabolism; D013334:Students; D014934:Wood
D015415:Biomarkers; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011721:Pyrenes; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene