Effects of Ambient Fine Particles on Pulmonary Function in Children With Mild Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

The effects of particulate pollutants on lung function in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) remain to be determined. The authors investigated the short-term effects of ambient particles on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in 84 children with and without AD. Daily particulates less than 10, 2.5, and 1 μm (PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(1)) and number concentrations of submicron particles were measured. The authors observed elevated levels of PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(1), and accumulation-mode particles were associated with decreased PEFR in children with AD. The PEFR decrements were -2.89 L/min (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.93 to -0.89) for an interquartile-range increase of previous-day PM(10), -2.79 L/min (95% CI, -4.89 to -0.69) for PM(2.5), and -2.71 L/min (95% CI, -4.81 to -0.61) for PM(1). These results suggest that ambient fine particles may affect the pulmonary function in children with AD. The respiratory health of children with atopic skin disorders renders them more vulnerable to ambient particles than healthy subjects.

Evaluation of a High Efficiency Cabin Air (HECA) Filtration System for Reducing Particulate Pollutants Inside School Buses

“…Epidemiological studies have reported deleterious health effects of traffic emissions, containing particulate matter (PM) of different sizes such as PM 2.5 (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm), black carbon (BC), and ultrafine particles (UFPs, diameter ≤100 nm). Exposures to high levels of UFPs, BC, and PM 2.5 have been associated with pulmonary and cardiovascular health risks. − UFPs have been shown to induce oxidative stress, mitochondria damage, and acute pulmonary inflammation. − Since children are in the developing stage for pulmonary function and immune system, they are a particularly vulnerable subpopulation. , In addition, school-age children’s exposures to particulate pollutants were also found to be associated with poor academic performance …”

“…5−7 Since children are in the developing stage for pulmonary function and immune system, they are a particularly vulnerable subpopulation. 8,9 In addition, school-age children's exposures to particulate pollutants were also found to be associated with poor academic performance. 10 Previous studies have shown that traffic emissions significantly increase concentrations of UFP, BC, and PM 2.5 on local arterial roadways and freeways.…”