Cross-sectional Study of Children’s Respiratory Health and Ambient Air Exposure in two communities in Lanzhou

BACKGROUND: Little attention has been devoted to the effects on children’s respiratory health of exposure to sulphur dioxide (SO2) in ambient air from local industrial emissions. Most studies on the effects of SO2have assessed its impact as part of the regional ambient air pollutant mix.OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between exposure to stack emissions of SO2from petroleum refineries located in Montreal’s (Quebec) east-end industrial complex and the prevalence of active asthma and poor asthma control among children living nearby.METHODS: The present cross-sectional study used data from a respiratory health survey of Montreal children six months to 12 years of age conducted in 2006. Of 7964 eligible households that completed the survey, 842 children between six months and 12 years of age lived in an area impacted by refinery emissions. Ambient SO2exposure levels were estimated using dispersion modelling. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CIs for the association between yearly school and residential SO2exposure estimates and asthma outcomes. Adjustments were made for child’s age, sex, parental history of atopy and tobacco smoke exposure at home.RESULTS: The adjusted PR for the association between active asthma and SO2levels was 1.14 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.39) per interquartile range increase in modelled annual SO2. The effect on poor asthma control was greater (PR=1.39 per interquartile range increase in modelled SO2[95% CI 1.00 to 1.94]).CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study suggest a relationship between exposure to refinery stack emissions of SO2and the prevalence of active and poor asthma control in children who live and attend school in proximity to refineries.

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Effects of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking on the Spirometric Profile of University Students in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

Canadian Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1155/2020/5949834 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Zaher Nazzal ◽

Deema Odeh ◽

Fatima Azahraa Haddad ◽

Mohammad Berawi ◽

Belal Rahhal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

University Students ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Waterpipe Smoking ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lung Functions ◽

Expiratory Flow

Background. Waterpipe smoking in young individuals is increasing with limited studies addressing its respiratory health effects. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of waterpipe smoking on young adults’ lung functions. Spirometric parameters were compared between waterpipe smokers and nonsmokers. Methods. A comparative cross-sectional study of university students, including males and females, was conducted. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to record students’ characteristics. The spirometry test was performed to assess students’ lung functions; we recorded the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25–75%). Results. A total of 300 apparently healthy students (150 waterpipe smokers and 150 nonsmokers) were included in the study. Waterpipe smokers showed significantly lower values in FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, and FEF25–75% compared to the nonsmoker group (P<0.05 to P<0.001). The subgroup analysis on female students (50 WP smokers and 50 nonsmokers) showed a significant decrease in FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, and FEF25–75% parameters (P<0.001). Conclusion. Waterpipe smoking is associated with reduced spirometric parameters in healthy young adults with relatively limited smoking years.

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