Gas cooking is associated with small reductions in lung function in children.
Inconsistent effects of gas cooking on lung function have been reported. In a previous study from Austria, we demonstrated a significant, though small, reduction of lung function parameters in children living in homes with gas stoves. We used a larger international database to check if this finding can be generalised. To study the relative impact of cooking with gas on lung function parameters of primary school children in a wide range of geographical settings, we analysed flow and volume data of approximately 24,000 children (aged 6-12 yrs) from nine countries in Europe and North America. Exposure information was obtained by comparable questionnaires and spirometry according to an American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society protocol. Linear regressions were used, controlling for individual risk factors and study area. Heterogeneity between study-specific results and mean effects were estimated using meta-analytical tools. On average, gas cooking reduced lung function parameters. Overall effects were small (-0.1-0.7%) and only significant for forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s. There was some indication that allergic children were more affected by gas cooking. Under current housing conditions, gas cooking is associated with only small reductions in lung function.
Moshammer
H
H
Medical University of Vienna, Inst. Environmental Health, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1095 Vienna, Austria. hanns.moshammer@meduniwien.ac.at
Fletcher
T
T
Heinrich
J
J
Hoek
G
G
Hruba
F
F
Pattenden
S
S
Rudnai
P
P
Slachtova
H
H
Speizer
F E
FE
Zlotkowska
R
R
Neuberger
M
M
D000393:Air Pollutants; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D005579:Fossil Fuels / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods
D000393:Air Pollutants; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D005740:Gases; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide