206561 A meta-analysis of studies on air pollution in urban areas, along highways, and lung disease, including asthma, among children

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sandeep P. Potdar , Environmental & Occupational Health, FIU Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Miami, FL
Shafia Rubeen , Environmental & Occupational Health, FIU Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Miami, FL
Deepa Vinodkumar Dillikar, MPH , Environmental & Occupational Health, FIU Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Miami, FL
Michael A. Melchior, MPH, PhD(c) , Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, FIU Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Miami, FL
Janvier Gasana, MD PhD , Environmental & Occupational Health, FIU Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Miami, FL
Background -

Asthma is a grave environmentally associated health disease which has many aggravating factors. Vehicle exhaust consists of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM), and a range of toxic products which are the key irritants of the respiratory system.

Objective –

The intent of the study is to perform a meta-analysis in order to:

1. Determine the effect of air pollution on lung diseases in children.

2. Investigate the relation between highway-related air pollution and lung diseases mainly accentuating on asthma in children.

Method –

Articles from 1999-2009 related to air pollution near highways were systematically recovered from Highwire and Pubmed. Confidence intervals related to individual air contaminants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3) and their adverse respiratory effects were obtained. Results were stratified on the basis of asthma symptoms, distance from highway, and type of pollutant.

Results –

Children residing or attending schools near highways have more frequent asthma exacerbation and allergies. Exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and nitrogen oxides are associated with decreased pulmonary function and hospital admissions among asthmatic children less than 5 years.

Conclusion –

The review suggests that there was a significant association between proximity to highways and various adverse respiratory health effects in children. High ambient levels of PM10, PM 2.5, NO2, O3 are associated with increased childhood asthma symptoms. They have a major effect on the development of asthma in young children in urban areas.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the effect of air pollution on lung disease in children. 2. Explain the relation between highway-related air pollution and lung diseases, mainly asthma.

Keywords: Asthma, Air Pollutants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a current Master's of Public Health Student in my second year. Since my entrance into the MPH program, I have spent much time studying asthma and air quality through literature reviews, course work, and as an assistant to Environmental Health professors. I have completed my degree in Dentistry, during which I had an opportunity to work with many asthmatic patients and its clinical effects on children. I could identify the environmental risk factors which could be easily controlled and prevented by educating them. It helped me to gain an insight of the burden of asthma on the population.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Chronic Disease Epidemiology Poster Session
See more of: Epidemiology