Associations Between Pesticide Chemical Exposure Students with Respiratory Infections and Asthma Symptoms in Iraq

Abstract

Background: There are relationships between pesticide chemical exposures (PCE) found in schools, and not enough research has been done on schoolchildren's allergies and respiratory health. In order to provide objective assessments of the PMECs that young students are exposed to in the classroom and to establish a link between schoolchildren's respiratory infections and asthma and exposure to major air pollutants found in classrooms, a survey was carried out in a sizable sample of primary school classrooms in Iraq. Methods: Children from a randomly chosen sample were the subjects of a cross-sectional study that also included a case-control analysis of public schools in Karbala. A total of 500 pupils from six junior primary schools in Karbala (mean age 10 years, SD 65.7) took part (97% participation rate). Results: The study included a physician visit with skin prick testing for common allergens, an exercise-induced asthma (EIA) screening test, and a parent-completed standardized health questionnaire. Out of 500 youngsters, 10 (2%) had a persistent respiratory condition. Although not very large, the baseline difference in mean age was statistically significant. Conclusion: Children in Iraq who were exposed to pesticides had long-term respiratory problems and illnesses.