Blood pressure and particulate air pollution in schoolchildren of Lahore, Pakistan.
BACKGROUND
Air pollution is a growing health problem for urban populations in emerging economies. The present study examines the (cross-sectional) relation between blood pressure and particulate air pollution in schoolchildren of Lahore (Pakistan).


METHODS
We recruited a sample of 8-12 year-old children (mean age 9.9 years; 45% girls) from two schools in Lahore situated in areas with low (n = 79) and high (n = 100) air pollution, respectively. During the study period (January-April 2009) particulate pollution [PM(10) and PM(2.5) i.e. particles with aerodynamic diameters below 10 μm or 2.5 μm, respectively] was measured at the school sites with a laser operated device (Metone Aerocet 531). Blood pressure was measured, after 5 minutes of sitting rest, using an automated device (average of 5 consecutive measurements). Spot urine samples were also collected and concentrations of Na and K were measured.


RESULTS
Mean daily values of PM2.5 were 28.5 μg/m(3) (SD: 10.3) and 183 μg/m(3) (SD: 30.2), in the low and high pollution areas, respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in children living in the high pollution area (115.9/70.9 mm Hg) than in the low pollution area (108.3/66.4 mm Hg), independently of age, gender, height, weight, socio-economic status, passive smoking and the urinary concentrations of Na, K, and creatinine.


CONCLUSIONS
In 8-12 year-old children, exposure to (traffic-related) air pollution was associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These findings, if they persist, might have clinical relevance at older age.
Department of Public Health, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Muhammad
M
Sughis
Tim S
TS
Nawrot
Syed
S
Ihsan-ul-Haque
Asad
A
Amjad
Benoit
B
Nemery
D000293:Adolescent; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D011998:Recreation; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012923:Social Class; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions