School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Associations between source-indicative pollution metrics and increases in pulmonary inflammation and reduced lung function in a panel of asthmatic children

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

Exposure to traffic-related air pollution may pose an elevated risk of respiratory harm to asthmatic children. The goal of this study was to investigate the association between exposure to specific classes of air pollutants and respiratory response in a panel of asthmatic children in El Paso, Texas. Air pollution and health response was measured at two elementary schools in El Paso with different levels of air pollution exposure. A high-exposure school was adjacent to the U.S.–Mexico border in close proximity to a major border crossing for diesel truck traffic, while the low-exposure school was in a suburban area distant from major roadways. The indoor and outdoor concentration of particle- and gas-phase pollutants was measured at each school for 13 weeks. Speciation of pollutants was performed to help identify sources. Each week, a panel of 38 asthmatic students performed pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide tests and completed asthma symptom questionnaires. Changes in both lung function and airway inflammation were significantly associated with pollutants with known traffic-related sources. FEV1 declined by up to 5 % in association with an interquartile range increase in the concentration of volatile organic compounds with traffic sources. Exhaled nitric oxide increased 1–5 % in association with these same compounds as well as with particulate black carbon (which also has a traffic-related source). No associations were observed between health response and pollutants with non-roadway sources. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution may lead to increased airway inflammation and decreased lung function in asthmatic children.

Publication Title

Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health

DOI

10.1007/s11869-012-0186-3

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