Comparison of normal and dusty day impacts on fractional exhaled nitric oxide and lung function in healthy children in Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Children are the vulnerable group at risk of adverse health effects related to air pollution due to dust storm in Ahvaz. The purpose of this study was to compare the values of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and lung functions as parameters of adverse health effects of particulate matter (PM) in dusty and normal (non-dusty) days in elementary schoolchildren. The study was conducted among elementary school students in Ahvaz. The healthy elementary schoolchildren (N = 105) were selected from different districts for FENO and lung function sampling during the dusty and normal days. The values of PM and PM during dusty days were higher than during normal days. Mean values of FENO during the normal and dusty days were 14.23 and 20.3 ppb, respectively, and the difference between these values was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Lung function results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean values of forced vital capacity during the dusty and normal days (p < 0.05). The results revealed a significant difference both in the values of inflammatory biomarker and in the lung function tests in dusty and normal days. Based on our results, fractional exhaled nitric oxide could be a useful short-term biomarker of particulate pollution effect coupled with spirometry.

Relationship between Particulate Matter (PM10) and Airway Inflammation Measured with Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test in Seoul, Korea

“…Few studies have focused on the correlation between FeNO and PM [38]. Most of the previous studies were small cases or were limited to children [39]. In addition, most of the studies were conducted on asthma patients [40].…”

Associations Between Dust Storms and Intensive Care Unit Admissions in the United States, 2000–2015

“…Studies have been carried out in many regions of the world, including southern Europe (Díaz et al, 2012;Faustini et al, 2015;Karanasiou et al, 2012;Mallone et al, 2011;Middleton et al, 2008;Neophytou et al, 2013;Perez et al, 2008;Reyes et al, 2014;Stafoggia et al, 2016;Tobías et al, 2011;Trianti et al, 2017), east Asia (Chiu et al, 2008;Higashi et al, 2014;Kanatani et al, 2010;Kurai et al, 2017;Lee et al, 2008;Lee, 2013Lee, , 2014Nakamura et al, 2016;Nakao et al, 2018;Watanabe et al, 2015Watanabe et al, , 2016Yoo et al, 2008), the Middle East (Al-Taiar & Thalib, 2014;Khaniabadi et al, 2017;Neisi et al, 2017;Thalib & Al-Taiar, 2012;Vodonos et al, 2014Vodonos et al, , 2015, the Caribbean (Cadelis et al, 2014;Gyan et al, 2005;Prospero et al, 2008), and Australia (Barnett et al, 2012;Johnston et al, 2011;Merrifield et al, 2013;Rutherford et al, 1999). However, despite high dust activity in many U.S. states, the United States has lagged behind other regions in the study of dust storms and their health effects.…”

The disappearing Salton Sea: A critical reflection on the emerging environmental threat of disappearing saline lakes and potential impacts on children's health

“…A Swedish study assessed children biweekly over two months and found that short-term changes in coarse PM were associated with significant increases in FeNO, even after accounting for other ambient air pollutants (Carlsen et al 2016). Among Iranian children, researchers found that, compared to normal days, dusty days were related to significant increases in FeNO and decreases in lung function (Neisi et al 2017). These studies provide evidence of the acute health effects of wind-blown dust exposures among children, which, with repeated insults, have the potential to influence respiratory health over time.…”