Effect of Traffic-Related Air Pollution on Allergic Disease: Results of the Children's Health and Environmental Research.
10.4168/aair.2015.7.4.359
- Author:
Dal Young JUNG
1
;
Jong Han LEEM
;
Hwan Cheol KIM
;
Jeong Hee KIM
;
Seung Sik HWANG
;
Ji Young LEE
;
Byoung Ju KIM
;
Yun Chul HONG
;
Soo Jong HONG
;
Ho Jang KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. ekeeper@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Air pollution;
asthma;
allergic rhinitis;
respiratory function tests;
bronchial hyperreactivity;
child
- MeSH:
Air Pollution*;
Asthma;
Bronchial Hyperreactivity;
Child;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Humans;
Lung;
Prevalence;
Respiratory Function Tests;
Rhinitis
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
2015;7(4):359-366
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the relationship of living near to main roads to allergic diseases, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), allergic sensitization, and lung function in Korean children. METHODS: A total of 5,443 children aged 6-14 years from 33 elementary schools in 10 cities during 2005-2006 were included in a baseline survey of the Children's Health and Environmental Research. We assessed association of traffic-related air pollution (TAP) exposure with the distance to the nearest main road, total road length of main roads and the proportion of the main road area within the 200-m home area. RESULTS: Positive exposure-response relationships were found between the length of the main road within the 200-m home area and lifetime wheeze (adjusted prevalence ratio [PR] for comparison of the longest to the shortest length categories=1.24; 95% CIs, 1.04-1.47; P for trend=0.022) and diagnosed asthma (PR=1.42; 95% CIs, 1.08-1.86; P for trend=0.011). Living less than 75 m from the main road was significantly associated with lifetime allergic rhinitis (AR), past-year AR symptoms, diagnosed AR, and treated AR. The distance to the main road (P for trend=0.001), the length of the main road (P for trend=0.041), and the proportion of the main road area (P for trend=0.006) had an exposure-response relationship with allergic sensitization. A strong inverse association was observed between residential proximity to the main load and lung function, especially FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75. The length of the main road and the proportion of the main road area were associated with reduced FEV1 in schoolchildren. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that exposure to traffic-related air pollution may be associated with increased risk of asthma, AR, and allergic sensitization, and with reduced lung function in schoolchildren.
