Increased asthma and respiratory symptoms in children exposed to petrochemical pollution.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiologic studies show statistical associations between levels of air pollutants and respiratory outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine the effects of exposure to petrochemical pollution on the respiratory health of children.


METHODS
Children aged 6 to 12 years living close to the petrochemical plants in La Plata, Argentina (n = 282), were compared with those living in a region with exposure to heavy traffic (n = 270) or in 2 relatively nonpolluted areas (n = 639). Parents answered a validated questionnaire providing health and demographic data. A random sample (n = 181) had lung function measured. Particulate matter and outdoor and indoor volatile organic compound levels were measured during 4-week study periods and reported as overall means for each study area.


RESULTS
Children living near the petrochemical plant had more asthma (24.8% vs 10.1% to 11.5%), more asthma exacerbations (6.7 vs 2.9-3.6 per year), more respiratory symptoms (current wheeze, dyspnea, nocturnal cough, and rhinitis), and lower lung function (>13% decrease in FEV(1) percent predicted) than those living in other regions. Length of residence in the area was a significant risk factor, but age, sex, body mass index, proximity to busy roads and other nonpetrochemical industries, length of breast-feeding, and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of children or their families were not.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to particulate matter and volatile organic compounds arising from petrochemical plants but not from high traffic density was associated ith worse respiratory health in children.
Wichmann
Fernando A
FA
Instituto del Desarrollo de Investigaciones Pediátricas Prof Dr Fernando Viteri Hospital de Niños SM Ludovica, La Plata, Argentina. fwichmann@hotmail.com
Müller
Andrea
A
Busi
Luciano E
LE
Cianni
Natalia
N
Massolo
Laura
L
Schlink
Uwe
U
Porta
Andres
A
Sly
Peter David
PD
D000397:Air Pollution; D000473:Alkanes / Q000633:toxicity; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D003516:Cycloparaffins / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000473:Alkanes; D003516:Cycloparaffins; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D010578:Petroleum