In:
Geospatial Health, PAGEPress Publications, Vol. 10, No. 2 ( 2015-11-26)
Abstract:
〈 p 〉 The Po Valley (Northern Italy) has elevated levels of air-pollution due to various sources of pollution and adverse weather conditions. This study evaluates the short-term effects of exposure to particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM 〈 sub 〉 10 〈 /sub 〉 ) on asthma symptoms in school-aged children. An initial cross-sectional survey was conducted in the area to estimate asthma prevalence in children. Out of a total of 250 asthmatic children identified by the study, 69 agreed to participate in a panel study. The PM 〈 sub 〉 10 〈 /sub 〉 exposure assessment was based on a combination of geographic and environmental measurements leading to a focus on three different areas, each characterised by its own daily PM 〈 sub 〉 10 〈 /sub 〉 level. Participants were monitored daily for respiratory symptoms for eight weeks (January-March 2006). We assessed the relationship between daily PM 〈 sub 〉 10 〈 /sub 〉 exposure and occurrence of asthma symptoms with a generalised linear model based on a total of 3864 person-days of observation. Exposure to PM 〈 sub 〉 10 〈 /sub 〉 per m 〈 sup 〉 3 〈 /sup 〉 was found to be particularly associated with cough (OR=1.03, CI 95% 0.99; 1.08) and phlegm (OR=1.05, CI 95% 1.00; 1.10). In the most polluted area, exposure to PM10 was also associated with wheezing (OR=1.18, CI 95% 1.02; 1.37). 〈 /p 〉
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1970-7096
,
1827-1987
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
PAGEPress Publications
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2276179-2
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