The effect of ambient air pollution on respiratory health of school children: a panel study

Michael J Epton¹ , Robin D Dawson¹ , Wendy M Brooks¹ , Simon Kingham² , Teresa Aberkane³ , Jo-Anne E Cavanagh⁴ , Christopher M Frampton¹ , Tracey Hewitt¹ , Julie M Cook¹ , Susan McLeod¹ , Fiona McCartin¹ , Katherine Trought⁴ and Leslie Brown⁴

¹Canterbury Respiratory Research Group, Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 4345, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand

²Department of Geography, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8020, New Zealand

³Environment Canterbury, 58 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, New Zealand

⁴Landcare Research, P O Box 40, Lincoln 7640, Christchurch, New Zealand

author email corresponding author email

Environmental Health 2008, 7:16doi:10.1186/1476-069X-7-16


Published:	14 May 2008

Abstract

Background

Adverse respiratory effects of particulate air pollution have been identified by epidemiological studies. We aimed to examine the health effects of ambient particulate air pollution from wood burning on school-age students in Christchurch, New Zealand, and to explore the utility of urine and exhaled breath condensate biomarkers of exposure in this population.

Methods

A panel study of 93 male students (26 with asthma) living in the boarding house of a metropolitan school was undertaken in the winter of 2004. Indoor and outdoor pollution data was continuously monitored. Longitudinal assessment of lung function (FEV₁and peak flow) and symptoms were undertaken, with event studies of high pollution on biomarkers of exposure (urinary 1-hydroxypyrene) and effect (exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH and hydrogen peroxide concentration).

Results

Peak levels of air pollution were associated with small but statistically significant effects on lung function in the asthmatic students, but not healthy students. No significant effect of pollution could be seen either on airway inflammation and oxidative stress either in healthy students or students with asthma. Minor increases in respiratory symptoms were associated with high pollution exposure. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels were raised in association with pollution events by comparison with low pollution control days.

Conclusion

There is no significant effect of ambient wood-smoke particulate air pollution on lung function of healthy school-aged students, but a small effect on respiratory symptoms. Asthmatic students show small effects of peak pollution levels on lung function. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene shows potential as a biomarker of exposure to wood smoke in this population; however measurement of EBC pH and hydrogen peroxide appears not to be useful for assessment of population health effects of air pollution.

Some of the data presented in this paper has previously been published in Kingham and co-workers Atmospheric Environment, 2006 Jan; 40: 338–347 (details of pollution exposure), and Cavanagh and co-workers Sci Total Environ. 2007 Mar 1;374(1):51-9 (urine hydroxypyrene data).