The effects of air pollution on children

Air pollutants have been associated with a wide variety of adverse health effects in children. A description of the impact of air pollutants on children's health is complicated by the presence of many types of air pollution and by the variety of indicators of adverse health effects. Over the period April-September 1994, the frequency of emergency room visits for asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis and bronchiolitis in the Paediatrics Department in Padua (Italy) has been documented and compared to outdoor concentrations of airborne particulate, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) and ozone in a case-control study. Two control groups of children affected by air pollution not related diseases (acute gastro-enteritis or cranial trauma) have been considered. Atmospheric airborne particulate, SO2, NO(x) and ozone concentrations were obtained from the Air Quality Monitoring Network of Padua. Statistical analysis was performed by multiple logistic step-wise regression. A total of 468 emergency room visits were noted; 139 children suffering from respiratory symptoms and 339 controls. The highest pollution levels were observed for ozone, with average 24 hr - concentrations, ranging from 30 to 160 mcg per cubic meter, still lower than permitted limits. No significant relationships could be found between any of the pollution indices and the incidence of emergency room visits for respiratory symptoms. No difference related to air pollutants was found between daily frequency of visits between cases and controls. Only bronchiolitis in the age < 2 years was related to the concentrations of NO2 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, short-term exposure to moderately high levels of photochemical air pollution did not result in clear acute respiratory adverse effects in children.