Abstract
BackgroundHigh levels of asthma prevalence and severity of respiratory symptoms have been found in the Caribbean but little is known about the impact of air pollution in these regions.This study aimed to describe air pollution and measure the associations with child lung function in Guadeloupe (French West Indies).MethodsData from 30 randomly chosen elementary schools (8–13 years old) were obtained using a standardized protocol adapted from the ISAAC2 study. We considered two health outcomes: peak expiratory flow (PEF) before running and the variation in peak expiratory flow (ΔPEF) after running. The associations between pollutants and outcomes were investigated using several air pollution exposure models: i) medium-term exposure to close-proximity pollution both indoor and outdoor for ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ii) short- and medium-term exposure to background pollution for O3, NO2, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and small particulate matter (PM10).ResultsOf 1,463 children, 277 (16%) were found to have asthma. A 1-μg/m3 increase in medium-term exposure to outdoor close-proximity pollution by O3 was associated with a PEF decrease (β = −0.32; 95% CI: −0.61;-0.03). No association was found with NO2 regarding close-proximity pollution. The association between medium-term exposure to background pollution and PEF decrease was stronger in asthmatic children than in non-asthmatic children for O3. No reduction in PEF or ΔPEF was shown with NO2, SO2 and PM10 pollutants but a significant association was found between PM10 and PEF increase.ConclusionsOur results suggest that O3 could have an acute effect on child lung function in the Caribbean even at a low concentration (below the WHO guidelines). Further research in the Caribbean is needed to confirm these findings.
Highlights
High levels of asthma prevalence and severity of respiratory symptoms have been found in the Caribbean but little is known about the impact of air pollution in these regions
The global effect was important for PM10 with peak expiratory flow (PEF) reduction of 0.31 l/min (CI 95%: −0.56;-0.05), ozone was not studied in this analysis
The studies conducted in the Caribbean suggest small variations in asthma prevalence between the Caribbean islands and contrast with a recent study conducted in the Pacific where considerable variations were found, the rates ranging from 5.8% in Samoa to 19.7% in the Tokelau Islands [29]
Summary
High levels of asthma prevalence and severity of respiratory symptoms have been found in the Caribbean but little is known about the impact of air pollution in these regions. In a meta-analysis, Weinmayr et al reported for 51 studies (36 from Europe and 15 elsewhere mainly in USA) short-term effects of PM10 and PM10 on respiratory symptoms and lung function mainly PEF [7]. A previous ISAAC phase two study conducted in Hong Kong and two cities in mainland China showed that the higher prevalence of asthma symptoms in Hong Kong could be explained by differences in environmental factors and diet [31]. The impact of environmental factors on respiratory diseases, air pollution, seems to vary in different parts of the globe, probably owing to individual susceptibility
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call