Respiratory health and individual estimated exposure to traffic-related air pollutants in a cohort of young children

¹ GSF - National Research Center for Environment and Health, Germany
² Kinderklinik und Poliklinik der TU München, Munich, Germany
³ Universiteit Utrecht, Netherlands
⁴ Dr. von Hauner'sches Kinderspital, Germany
⁵ Kinderklinik und Poliklinik der TU München, Germany

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: joachim.heinrich{at}gsf.de.

Accepted 4 August 2006

	Abstract

Abstract A combination of air pollution measurement data, data of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and questionnaire data are used to estimate long-term exposure to traffic related air pollutants on an individual base and to assess adverse health effects. Forty measurement sites within the city of Munich were selected to collect particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 2.5µm (PM2.5), PM2.5 absorbance, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). A pool of GIS variables (information about street length, household and population density, and land use) was collected for the Munich metropolitan area and was used in multiple linear regression models to predict traffic related air pollutants. These models were finally applied to the birth addresses of two birth cohorts (GINI/LISA) in Munich metropolitan area. Associations between air pollution concentrations at birth address and 1- and 2-year incidences of respiratory symptoms were analysed. We obtained the following means for the estimated exposures to PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance, and NO2: 12.8 µg/m3, 1.7x10-5 m-1, and 35.3 µg/m3. Adjusted odds ratios for wheezing, cough without infection, dry cough at night, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory infections indicated positive associations with traffic-related air pollutants. After controlling for individual confounders, statistically significant associations were found between the pollutant PM2.5 and sneezing, runny/stuffed nose during the 1st year of life (odds ratio (95% confidence interval)): 1.16 (1.01; 1.34),. We observed similar effects for the second year of life. These findings are similar to those from our previous analysis that were restricted to a sub-cohort in Munich City. The extended study showed also significant effects for sneezing, running/stuffed nose. Additionally, statistically significant associations were found between NO2 and dry cough at night respectively bronchitis during the first year of life. The variable living close to major roads (< 50m), which was not analysed for the previous inner city cohort with birth addresses within the city of Munich, turned out to increase the risk of wheezing and asthmoid/spastic/obstructive bronchitis. Effects on asthma and hay fever are subject to confirmation at older ages, when these outcomes can be more validly assessed.

Keywords: Exposure assessment, GIS, air pollution, infants, traffic

Relevant Articles

A novel hypothesis to explain traffic-related nocturnal cough

Peter M Joseph
Occup. Environ. Med. 2008 65: 575. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G Cesaroni, C Badaloni, D Porta, F Forastiere, and C A Perucci Comparison between various indices of exposure to traffic-related air pollution and their impact on respiratory health in adults Occup. Environ. Med., October 1, 2008; 65(10): 683 - 690. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Mauad, D. H. R. F. Rivero, R. C. de Oliveira, A. J. de Faria Coimbra Lichtenfels, E. T. Guimaraes, P. A. de Andre, D. I. Kasahara, H. M. de Siqueira Bueno, and P. H. N. Saldiva Chronic Exposure to Ambient Levels of Urban Particles Affects Mouse Lung Development Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., October 1, 2008; 178(7): 721 - 728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E Nethery, S E Leckie, K Teschke, and M Brauer From measures to models: an evaluation of air pollution exposure assessment for epidemiological studies of pregnant women Occup. Environ. Med., September 1, 2008; 65(9): 579 - 586. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C Tonne, S Beevers, B Armstrong, F Kelly, and P Wilkinson Air pollution and mortality benefits of the London Congestion Charge: spatial and socioeconomic inequalities Occup. Environ. Med., September 1, 2008; 65(9): 620 - 627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Morgenstern, A. Zutavern, J. Cyrys, I. Brockow, S. Koletzko, U. Kramer, H. Behrendt, O. Herbarth, A. von Berg, C. P. Bauer, et al. Atopic Diseases, Allergic Sensitization, and Exposure to Traffic-related Air Pollution in Children Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., June 15, 2008; 177(12): 1331 - 1337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C-M. Chen, V. Morgenstern, W. Bischof, O. Herbarth, M. Borte, H. Behrendt, U. Kramer, A. von Berg, D. Berdel, C. P. Bauer, et al. Dog ownership and contact during childhood and later allergy development Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2008; 31(5): 963 - 973. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Holguin, S. Flores, Z. Ross, M. Cortez, M. Molina, L. Molina, C. Rincon, M. Jerrett, K. Berhane, A. Granados, et al. Traffic-related Exposures, Airway Function, Inflammation, and Respiratory Symptoms in Children Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., December 15, 2007; 176(12): 1236 - 1242. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

eLetters: