Research
Respiratory symptoms in relation to residential coal burning and environmental tobacco smoke among early adolescents in Wuhan, China: a cross-sectional study
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* Corresponding author: Stephanie J London london2@niehs.nih.gov
1 Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, MD A3-05, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
2 Wuhan Public Health and Anti-Epidemic Station, No. 24 N. Jianghan Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
3 Institute for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research, USC Keck School of Medicine, 1000 South Fremont Ave., Unit 8, Alhambra, CA 91803, USA
4 Wuhan Health Bureau, 2 YiYuan Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430014, China
5 Biostatistics Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, MD A3-03, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
6 Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, USC Keck School of Medicine, CHP 236, 1540 Alcazar St., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source 2004, 3:14 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-3-14
Published: 7 December 2004Abstract
Background
Cigarette smoking and coal burning are the primary sources of indoor air pollution in Chinese households. However, effects of these exposures on Chinese children's respiratory health are not well characterized.
Methods
Seventh grade students (N = 5051) from 22 randomly selected schools in the greater metropolitan area of Wuhan, China, completed an in-class self-administered questionnaire on their respiratory health and home environment.
Results
Coal burning for cooking and/or heating increased odds of wheezing with colds [odds ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–2.29] and without colds (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.05–1.97). For smoking in the home, the strongest associations were seen for cough (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.17–2.60) and phlegm production (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.36–3.72) without colds among children who lived with two or more smokers.
Conclusions
Chinese children living with smokers or in coal-burning homes are at increased risk for respiratory impairment. While economic development in China may decrease coal burning by providing cleaner fuels for household energy use, the increasing prevalence of cigarette smoking is a growing public health concern due to its effects on children. Adverse effects of tobacco smoke exposure were seen despite the low rates of maternal smoking (3.6%) in this population.