Prolonged Respiratory Effect of Oil Spill Exposure on Children

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Background and Aims: : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oil spill on pulmonary function and prevalence of asthma of children living close to oil spill area in the Yellow Coast of South Korea. Methods: Of 662 eligible children, 436 (65.9%) subjects, who completed a questionnaire and finally agreed to participate in the study, were enrolled on June 2009. Modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISSAC) questionnaire (Korean version) was used as a questionnaire, and health examination included skin prick test, pulmonary function test, and methacholine bronchial provocation test. Study subjects were divided into high and low exposure group according to exposure level to oil spill. Results: (Arial, 8pt, bold) There were no statistically significant differences in characteristics such as age, sex, height, weight, and family history of asthma between high and low exposure group. FEV1 was significantly lower in high exposure group than in low exposure group (high versus low exposure group; 82.6±10.8% versus 85.3±10.4%, P=0.011). Prevalence of asthma based on a questionnaire was significantly higher in high exposure group than in low exposure group (high versus low exposure group; 31.4% versus 19.5%, P=0.005). Prevalence of asthma based on a methacholine bronchial provocation test was also significantly higher in high exposure group than in low exposure group (high versus low exposure group; 18.2% versus 7.9%, P=0.001). In a binary logistic regression analysis, male gender, family history of asthma, and high exposure to oil spill were significant risk factors for asthma (Gender[Male/Female]; OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.31-4.91, P=0.006, Family history of asthma [Yes/No]; OR 3,77, 95% CI 1.83-7.75, P=0.00, Exposure group[High/Low]; OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.27-4.65, P=0.007) Conclusions This study suggests that exposure to oil spill can be a risk factor for development of asthma in children. Future longitudinal study will be needed to determine the relationship between oil spill exposure and asthma and should include biologic markers related to airway inflammation to reveal the mechanism about how oil spill exposure affects lung function and bronchial hyperreacitivity.