VARIATIONS OF VEF1 AND PEAK FLOW MEASUREMENTS ON ATOPIC AND NON-ATOPIC CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO URBAN AIR POLLUTION IN THE CITY OF SÄO PAULO, BRAZIL

Abstract

ISEE-126 Introduction: With a population of 10.5 million inhabitants, an estimated fleet of 4 million light duty vehicles, meteorological conditions that favours the occurrence of low altitude thermal inversions in the wintertime and strong solar radiation in other seasons, the city of São Paulo, Brazil, has experienced an expected deterioration in air quality. Similar to the studies of the impacts of air pollution on health performed in other cities of the world, the ones in São Paulo have shown that air pollutants are associated with a wide variety of adverse health impacts on children which range from mortality (including perineonatal mortality) to acute respiratory disease morbidity and decrease in peak flow measurements. Even though it is well established that outdoor air pollution exacerbates respiratory symptoms in atopic subjects, the role played by outdoor pollutants in allergic sensitization of airways has yet to be elucidated. Aim: This study is aimed at investigating whether the role played by air pollution on lung function measurements, in children, is different for atopic, compared to non-atopic children. Methods: Ninety-six children, aged 9 to 11 years old, were followed from April to July (2004) with daily measurements of VEF1 and peak flow. Blood samples were collected for IgA and IgE dosage, skin prick tests to common allergens were performed and also a nasal smear. A questionnaire was applied to characterize past respiratory and allergic history as well as exposure to indoor allergens and air pollution. Weather (humidity and temperature) and air pollution date were provided by governmental agencies as the school has an air pollution monitoring station in its backyard. Linear regression will be performed utilizing individual mean peak flow deviation aftercontrolling for atopy. Preliminary results will be presented at the Symposium.