Air pollution and upper respiratory symptoms in children from East Germany

Whereas evidence of adverse effects of air pollution on lower respiratory tract illnesses in children is increasing, little is known about the effects of high and moderate levels of air pollution on the incidence of upper respiratory illnesses. 9 to 11 year old schoolchildren (n = 1,854) living in Leipzig, East Germany were studied. The presence of upper respiratory symptoms was documented by a physician. Daily mean and maximum concentrations of SO2, particulate matter (PM) and NOx, as well as temperature and humidity, were measured. Furthermore, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the parents to assess confounding factors. Parents of 1,500 (81%) children returned the questionnaire. When controlling for paternal education, passive smoke exposure, number of siblings, temperature and humidity, increased risks for the development of upper respiratory symptoms were found in the winter months for SO2 mean concentrations (odds ratio (OR) = 1.72; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.19-2.49). NOx mean concentrations (OR = 1.53; 95% CI 1.01-2.31) and PM maximum values (OR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.08-2.45). In the summer months, only NOx mean concentrations were associated with a significantly increased risk (OR = 1.82; 95% CI 1.21-2.73). A combination of high mean levels of different pollutants resulted in the highest risk (OR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.30-3.37 in the winter, and OR = 2.16; 95% CI 1.23-3.81 in the summer). We conclude that high concentrations of SO2, and moderate levels of particulate matters and NOx are associated with an increased risk of developing upper respiratory symptoms in childhood.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Brauer, G. Hoek, H. A. Smit, J. C. de Jongste, J. Gerritsen, D. S. Postma, M. Kerkhof, and B. Brunekreef Air pollution and development of asthma, allergy and infections in a birth cohort Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2007; 29(5): 879 - 888. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Brunekreef and J. Sunyer Asthma, rhinitis and air pollution: is traffic to blame? Eur. Respir. J., June 1, 2003; 21(6): 913 - 915. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Brauer, G. Hoek, P. Van Vliet, K. Meliefste, P. H. Fischer, A. Wijga, L. P. Koopman, H. J. Neijens, J. Gerritsen, M. Kerkhof, et al. Air Pollution from Traffic and the Development of Respiratory Infections and Asthmatic and Allergic Symptoms in Children Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., October 15, 2002; 166(8): 1092 - 1098. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S Hajat, H R Anderson, R W Atkinson, A Haines, and A. Seaton Effects of air pollution on general practitioner consultations for upper respiratory diseases in London * Commentary Occup. Environ. Med., May 1, 2002; 59(5): 294 - 299. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				U. Gehring, J. Cyrys, G. Sedlmeir, B. Brunekreef, T. Bellander, P. Fischer, C.P. Bauer, D. Reinhardt, H.E. Wichmann, and J. Heinrich Traffic-related air pollution and respiratory health during the first 2 yrs of life Eur. Respir. J., April 1, 2002; 19(4): 690 - 698. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Perez-G., M. Melo, A. D. Keegan, and J. Zamorano Aspirin and Salicylates Inhibit the IL-4- and IL-13-Induced Activation of STAT6 J. Immunol., February 1, 2002; 168(3): 1428 - 1434. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J HELMS and G. CHRISTIE Prospects for preventing asthma Arch. Dis. Child., May 1, 1999; 80(5): 401 - 404. [Full Text]

				M. Silverman, N. Wilson;, and N. SPEIGHT Asthma---time for a change of name? • Commentary Arch. Dis. Child., July 1, 1997; 77(1): 62 - 65. [Full Text]