Project Abstract

Abstract
Early life exposure to air pollution has been identified as a significant risk factor for the development of childhood asthma. This research project aims to investigate the specific effects of air pollution on the development and exacerbation of asthma in children. The study will focus on analyzing the relationship between different types of air pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide, and the incidence of childhood asthma. A comprehensive literature review will be conducted to gather existing evidence on the impact of air pollution on respiratory health in children. Various studies have suggested that exposure to air pollution during critical developmental stages can lead to persistent respiratory issues, including asthma. This project will contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing a detailed analysis of the mechanisms through which air pollutants may trigger asthma in children. The research will involve collecting air quality data from monitoring stations in urban, suburban, and rural areas to assess the levels of key pollutants. Additionally, information on the prevalence of childhood asthma will be obtained from healthcare facilities and national databases. Statistical analyses will be conducted to determine the correlation between air pollution exposure and the incidence of asthma in children. Furthermore, the study will explore potential confounding factors such as genetic predisposition, socioeconomic status, and indoor air quality to better understand the complex interactions influencing asthma development. By considering these factors, the research aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the role of air pollution in pediatric asthma. The findings of this study are expected to have implications for public health policy and air quality regulations aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children. By identifying the specific pollutants and exposure levels that pose the greatest risk for asthma development, targeted interventions can be implemented to reduce the burden of the disease. In conclusion, this research project will contribute valuable insights into the relationship between early life exposure to air pollution and the development of childhood asthma. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms and risk factors involved, the study aims to inform preventive strategies and interventions to mitigate the impact of air pollution on pediatric respiratory health.

Project Overview

BACKGROUND

There is increasing recognition of the importance of early environmental exposures in the development of childhood asthma. Outdoor air pollution is a recognized asthma trigger, but it is unclear whether exposure influences incident disease. We investigated the effect of exposure to ambient air pollution in utero and during the first year of life on risk of subsequent asthma diagnosis in a population-based nested case-control study.

METHODS:

We assessed all children born in southwestern British Columbia in 1999 and 2000 (n = 37,401) for incidence of asthma diagnosis up to 34 years of age using outpatient and hospitalization records. Asthma cases were age- and sex-matched to five randomly chosen controls from the eligible cohort. We estimated each individual’s exposure to ambient air pollution for the gestational period and first year of life using high-resolution pollution surfaces derived from regulatory monitoring data as well as land use regression models adjusted for temporal variation. We used logistic regression analyses to estimate effects of carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter <or= 10 microm and <or= 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone, sulfur dioxide, black carbon, woodsmoke, and proximity to roads and point sources on asthma diagnosis.

RESULTS:

A total of 3,482 children (9%) were classified as asthma cases. We observed a statistically significantly increased risk of asthma diagnosis with increased early life exposure to CO, NO, NO2, PM10, SO2, and black carbon and proximity to point sources. Traffic-related pollutants were associated with the highest risks: adjusted odds ratio = 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.041.12) for a 10-microg/m3 increase of NO, 1.12 (1.071.17) for a 10-microg/m3 increase in NO2, and 1.10 (1.061.13) for a 100-microg/m3 increase in CO. These data support the hypothesis that early childhood exposure to air pollutants plays a role in development of asthma.