Asthma, respiratory symptoms and lung function in children living near a petrochemical site

Abstract

Residential proximity to environmental hazards has been related to adverse health outcomes. Respiratory health and allergies in children living near petrochemical sites have not been extensively studied. We evaluated the association between residential proximity to the petrochemical site of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) and the prevalence of asthma, respiratory symptoms and lung function in children. Children aged 6-7 (n=2672) and adolescents aged 13-14 (n=2524) residing near two large petrochemical sites and those living in a city with medium vehicular traffic were cross-sectionally compared with children from an area with low vehicular traffic and without industry. The prevalence of symptoms was measured using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood written and video questionnaires. Lung function measurements were done in a subsample of 959 adolescents in the four areas. Multivariable analyses were done to estimate the effects of the residential area on symptoms and lung function adjusted for potential confounders. Crude prevalence of symptoms was similar across the studied areas. After adjustment, children and adolescents living near a petrochemical site had a statistically significant higher prevalence of respiratory hospitalizations in the previous year (Prevalence Ratio (PR)=1.49; 95%CI, 1.06-2.09) and of nocturnal cough (PR=1.29; 95%CI 1.05-1.57), respectively. Reduced lung function values among adolescents residing near the petrochemical areas were not observed. Although a higher prevalence of asthma in children and adolescents living near the petrochemical sites could not be demonstrated, as described in other studies, respiratory hospitalizations and nocturnal cough could be related to short-term exposures to pollutants. Other clinical and sub-clinical respiratory health effects in the petrochemical industry areas should be investigated.

Human health risk characterization of petroleum coke calcining facility emissions

“…Various studies have examined the association of petrochemical industries in the residential areas and the health effects in the respective population, including children. (Rovira et al, 2014;Mukesh et al, 2004;White et al, 2009;Smargiassi et al, 2009;Wichmann et al, 2009;Brunekreef B.et al, 1995;Gauderman et al, 2005). Rovira et al (2014) studied the effect of oil refinery emissions on the asthma symptoms and lung function in children residing near the petrochemical areas.…”

“…(Rovira et al, 2014;Mukesh et al, 2004;White et al, 2009;Smargiassi et al, 2009;Wichmann et al, 2009;Brunekreef B.et al, 1995;Gauderman et al, 2005). Rovira et al (2014) studied the effect of oil refinery emissions on the asthma symptoms and lung function in children residing near the petrochemical areas. The study showed that the population residing in the petrochemical areas had more episodes of respiratory symptoms (cough) and higher hospitalization rate as compared to the control population but no higher symptoms of asthma was noted.…”

“…The epidemiological studies assessing the respiratory risk from the petrochemical industries are summarized in Table 14. The specific respiratory conditions examined in the studies were asthma (Ware et al,1993;White et al, 2009;Wichmann et al, 2009;Nilsa I Loyo-Berrios et al, 2007;Yang et al, 1998;Smargiassi et al, 2009), hospitalization rates from respiratory signs and symptoms (Rovira et al, 2014), other respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath (de Moraes et al, 2010;Chen et al, 1998;Liao et al, 2009), lung functions (Meo et al, 2015;Wichmann et al, 2009), and incidence/ mortality of lung cancer (Kaldor et al, 1984;Sans et al, 1995;Belli et al, 2004;Simonsen et al, 2010;Yang et al, 1999;Passetto et al, 2008).…”

Pulmonary pathobiology induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles in mice: A 24-hour and 28-day follow-up study

“…The doses applied in the present study were relevant to human exposure scenarios according to a previous report (Vietti et al, 2013). The mass concentrations applied in the present study were relevant to occupational exposure scenarios in humans (Rovira et al, 2014); the alveolar surface area, breathing frequency 30 times/min, lung deposition rate 30%, minute ventilation was 20 l/min, and the recommended ZnO standard was 5 mg/m 3 (Fine et al, 1997). The human-equivalent mass concentrations were achieved at 1.36 days for 10 µg, 2.72 days for 20 µg, 6.8 days for 50 µg, and 13.6 days for 100 µg in a ZnONP-contaminated occupational environment.…”

Characterization of pulmonary protein profiles in response to zinc oxide nanoparticles in mice: a 24-hour and 28-day follow-up study

“…The doses applied in the present study were relevant for occupational exposure scenarios in humans. 27 The mice were exposed to 100 μg/lung ZnONPs (alveolar surface area 0.05 m 2 ), which is equal to 200 mg/lung ZnONPs in humans (alveolar surface area 102 m 2 ). Considering the breathing frequency (30 times/min), lung deposition rate (30%), a minute ventilation of 20 L/min, and the recommended ZnO standard of 5 mg/m 3 , 1 a human-equivalent dose would be achieved 13.6 days in a ZnONP-contaminated occupational environment.…”