Near-Road Exposure and Impact of Air Pollution on Allergic Diseases in Elementary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.
10.3349/ymj.2016.57.3.698
- Author:
Ho Hyun KIM
1
;
Chung Soo LEE
;
Seung Do YU
;
Jung Sub LEE
;
Jun Young CHANG
;
Jun Min JEON
;
Hye Rim SON
;
Chan Jung PARK
;
Dong Chun SHIN
;
Young Wook LIM
Author Information
1. Department of Integrated Environmental Systems, Pyeongtaek University, Pyeongtaek, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Allergic disease;
school children;
ISAAC;
air pollution;
traffic
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Air Pollutants/*adverse effects;
Air Pollution/*adverse effects;
Asthma/chemically induced/*epidemiology/*etiology;
Child;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
*Environmental Exposure;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/chemically induced/*epidemiology;
Schools;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Vehicle Emissions/analysis/toxicity
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2016;57(3):698-713
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The study aims to classify schools based on traffic pollutants and their complex sources, to assess the environment, to determine the state of allergic diseases among students using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in children (ISAAC) questionnaire, and to assess their connection to air pollutants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of seven schools were divided into three categories according to the characteristics of their surrounding environments: three schools in traffic-related zones, two schools in complex source zones I (urban), and two schools in complex source zones II (industrial complex). ISAAC questionnaires were administered and the 4404 completed questionnaires were analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency of asthma treatment during the past 12 months showed a significant increase (p<0.05) with exposure to NO2 [1.67, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.03-2.71] in the complex source zones. The frequency of allergic rhinitis treatment during the past 12 months increased significantly with exposure to Black Carbon (1.60, 95% CIs 1.36-1.90) (p<0.001), SO2 (1.09, 95% CIs 1.01-1.17) (p<0.05), NO2 (1.18, 95% CIs 1.07-1.30) (p<0.01) for all subjects. CONCLUSION: In terms of supporting children's health, care, and prevention related to major spaces for children, such as school zones, spaces used in coming to and leaving school, playgrounds, and classrooms are essential to ensuring not only the safety of children from traffic accidents but also their protection from local traffic pollutants and various hazardous environmental factors.
