A longitudinal study of ambient air pollutants and the lung peak expiratory flow rates among asthmatic children in Hungary

International Journal of Epidemiology
M M AgócsA Vámos

Abstract

We conducted this study in Budapest, Hungary, to better characterize the effects of exposure to ambient air pollutants on the lung function of asthmatic children. The 60 study participants were 9-14 years old, had physician-diagnosed asthma, and were symptomatic during the previous year. Their ambient air pollutant exposures to total suspended particulates (TSP) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) were estimated from measurements made at the air monitor nearest their residence. We used analysis of variance and a fixed-effects model to assess the impact of the pollutants upon their morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) from 13 September to 5 December 1993. Total suspended particulates and SO2 concentrations exceeded World Health Organization guideline limits on several days. Pollutant concentrations and PEFR increased during the study period. After adjusting for temperature, humidity, weekend/weekday, and the time trend, we found no consistent association between air pollutant concentrations and PEFR. Fall to winter seasonal changes had a large influence on PEFR and may have overshadowed the effects of the air pollutants during the study period. Seasonal influences should be carefully considered when planning future studies.

Citations

Nov 30, 1999·International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology·J FajstavrJ Fiala
Mar 7, 2008·Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology·Clifford P WeiselKathy Belby
May 17, 2000·Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine·W S Linn, H Gong
Oct 16, 2003·International Journal of Epidemiology·Wichai AekplakornPaipun Vitayanon
Aug 30, 2016·Pediatric Pulmonology·Gunnar M BuyseUNKNOWN DELOS Study Group
Jan 13, 2010·Inhalation Toxicology·Phongtape Wiwatanadate, Muthita Trakultivakorn
Mar 9, 1999·European Journal of Immunogenetics : Official Journal of the British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics·C SeidlJ P Kaltwasser

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