Abstract
To determine the acute effects on respiratory function of children exposed to sulphur dioxide (SO2), we conducted two population-based longitudinal investigations near a major oil refinery. We enrolled 233 children, age 8–14, in Sarroch (Italy). The first study entailed five monthly spirometric visits (Panel 5). In a subgroup, children positive for history of respiratory symptoms were tested weekly (20 times) with spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement (Panel 20). Baseline questionnaires and daily diaries were recorded. SO2, NO2, PM10 and O3 were measured by monitoring stations. Multiple regression models were fitted. Using a multipollutant model, we found that a 10 µg/m3 SO2 increase at lag0–2 days determined a percent variation (PV) of −3.37 (90% confidence interval, CI: −5.39; −1.30) for forced expiratory volume after one second (FEV1) in Panel 5 and a PV = −3.51 (90% CI: −4.77; −2.23) in Panel 20. We found a strong dose-response relation: 1-h SO2 peaks >200 µg/m3 at lag2 days = FEV1 PV −2.49. For FeNO, we found a PV = 38.12 (90% CI: 12.88; 69.01) for each 10 µg/m3 SO2 increase at 8-h time lag and a strong dose-response relation. Exposure to SO2 is strongly associated with reduction of lung function and an increase in airway inflammation. This new evidence of harmful effects of SO2 peaks should induce regulatory intervention.
Highlights
Since the publication of the 2010 final rule of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which conducted an integrated science assessment (ISA) to revise the primary National Ambient AirQuality Standards (NAAQS) for gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO2 ), sufficient, strong evidence has been gathered of a causal relationship between respiratory morbidity and short-term exposure to SO2 [1]in children
In the Panel 20 study, we examined the associations between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and 10 μg/m3 increases in pollutant concentration, reported as average within the time intervals 0–8 a.m., 8 p.m.–8 a.m. and at lag0, from multipollutant models adjusted for all relevant covariates (Table 7)
As demonstrated in a recent cross-sectional evaluation [28,29], children living near this oil refinery had decreased lung function and increased markers of bronchial inflammation as compared with a control group of unexposed children living in a rural area
Summary
Since the publication of the 2010 final rule of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which conducted an integrated science assessment (ISA) to revise the primary National Ambient Air. Quality Standards (NAAQS) for gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO2 ), sufficient, strong evidence has been gathered of a causal relationship between respiratory morbidity and short-term exposure to SO2 [1]. The epidemiological evidence for respiratory morbidity is consistent and these effects appear to be independent of other pollutants. To evaluate short-term respiratory effects, clinical studies examine durations of exposure of 5–10 min and lags (between exposure and effects) of 10 min–24 h, Int. J. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 1057; doi:10.3390/ijerph16061057 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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