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The relationship between low level nitrogen dioxide exposure and child lung function after cold air challenge
Citation
Ponsonby, AL and Glasgow, N and Gatenby, P and Mullins, R and McDonald, T and Hurwitz, M and Pradith, B and Attewell, R, The relationship between low level nitrogen dioxide exposure and child lung function after cold air challenge, Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 31, (8) pp. 1205-1212. ISSN 0954-7894 (2001) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1046/j.1365-2222.2001.01168.x
Abstract
Background: Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) or home gas appliance use has been inconsistently associated with adverse respiratory outcomes in childhood. Objectives: (i) To examine the contribution of home gas appliance type and personal NO 2 exposure. (ii) To examine the relationship between NO 2 exposure and child lung function and respiratory history. (iii) To assess whether these relationships vary by house dust mite sensitization status. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 344 children (71% of the eligible group) with a mean age of 9.1 years from four randomly selected schools in the Australian Capital Territory from July to September 1999. Study measurements included a parental questionnaire, NO 2 exposure by passive gas samplers, skin prick testing for 10 aeroallergens and lung function at rest and after cold air challenge. Results: Total NO 2 exposure was low with a mean concentration of 10.1 ppb. No associations were found between NO 2 exposure or gas appliance use and asthma, wheeze or baseline lung function. Personal NO 2 exposure was associated with a reduction in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) after cold air challenge (adjusted difference - 0.12% (- 0.23% to - 0.01%) per 1 ppb increase). After exclusion of children who had home heating changed because of asthma, gas heater use was also significantly associated with a reduction in this measure (adjusted difference - 2.0% (- 3.7% to - 0.2%)). There was some evidence that these reductions were greater among the non-mite-sensitized children. Conclusions: The effect of low-level NO 2 exposure on these respiratory outcomes was not marked. The possible effect of low-level NO 2 exposure on non-specific bronchial reactivity requires confirmation. Future studies on NO 2 and respiratory health should include measures of house dust mite sensitization and bronchial hyper-responsiveness.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Research Division: | Health Sciences |
| Research Group: | Epidemiology |
| Research Field: | Epidemiology not elsewhere classified |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Clinical health |
| Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
| UTAS Author: | Ponsonby, AL (Professor Anne Ponsonby) |
| ID Code: | 22241 |
| Year Published: | 2001 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 15 |
| Deposited By: | Menzies Centre |
| Deposited On: | 2001-08-01 |
| Last Modified: | 2002-07-29 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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