Asthma Risk In Children Is Intensified By Air Pollution
Children who are exposed to coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5) have an increased risk of developing asthma and being hospitalized or treated in an emergency room (ER) for asthma-related causes, according to a recent study.1
PM10-2.5, which is created by physical processes including tire and break wear, agricultural tilling, salt spray, and dust created in manufacturing, is commonly found in air pollution. Previous evidence has indicated that PM2.5 in particular has a negative effect on respiratory and cardiovascular health.
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For their study, Dr Corinne A. Keet, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues evaluated the health records of 7,810,025 US children aged 5 to 20 years who were enrolled in Medicaid from 2009 to 2010. Results were adjusted for race and ethnicity, sex, age, poverty, education, urban neighborhoods, and PM2.5.
Findings from the study showed that each microgram/m3 increase in PM10-2.5 resulted in an 0.6% increase in asthma diagnoses, a 1.7% increase in ER visits for asthma, and a 2.3% increase in hospitalizations for asthma.
The researchers noted that these findings were even stronger for children aged 11 years or younger, possibly due to the fact that young children are more likely to spend time outdoors and, thus, are more likely to experience the negative effects of air pollution.
“The first-ever analysis of the long-term effects of coarse particulate matter on asthma provides evidence supporting the harmful effects of coarse particulate matter on respiratory health,” the researchers concluded.2
—Christina Vogt
References:
1. Keet CA, Keller JP, Peng RD. Long-term coarse PM exposure is associated with asthma among children in Medicaid [Published online December 15, 2017]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201706-1267OC.
2. Coarse particulate matter may increase asthma risk [press release]. American Thoracic Society. https://www.thoracic.org/about/newsroom/press-releases/journal/coarse-particulate-matter-may-increase-asthma-risk.php. Accessed on December 15, 2017.