Levels of PM ₁₀ and PM _2.5 and Respiratory Health Impacts on School-Going Children in Kenya

Abstract

Background. The respiratory system of children is vulnerable to exposure to particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 and 10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10) or even lower. Objective. This study assessed PM10 and PM2.5 levels and respiratory health impacts on children in schools located in an industrialized suburb in Kenya. Method. The PM10 and PM2.5 levels were sampled from five public primary schools in Athi River Township and a control school during the wet and dry seasons. Outdoor and classroom samples were collected concurrently on an 8-hour mean during school hours on two consecutive days in each school and analyzed using gravimetric techniques. Five hundred and seventy-eight (n = 578) pupils aged 9–14 years from these schools were also evaluated for symptoms of respiratory illnesses and lung function using a questionnaire and spirometric method, respectively, during the same periods. Results. Indoor median PM10 levels (μg/m3) ranged from 60.8–269.1 and 52.8–232.3 and PM2.5 values (μg/m3) of 17.7–52.4 and 28.5–75.5 during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The control classrooms had significantly (p <0.05) lower median PM10 levels (μg/m3) of 5.2 and 4.2, and PM2.5 levels (μg/m3) of 3.5 and 3.0 during the respective seasons. Nearly all the classrooms in Athi River schools had PM2.5 and PM10 median levels that exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended levels. The indoor-to-outdoor ratios varied from 0.35–1.40 and 0.80–2.40 for PM10 and 0.30–0.80 and 0.80–1.40 for PM2.5 during the dry and wet seasons, respectively, suggesting higher levels in the classrooms during the wet season. The relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) presented higher prevalence of respiratory diseases following PM exposure in all the Athi River schools than the control during the dry and wet seasons. At 95% CI, the RR and OR showed strong associations between high PM10 and PM2.5 levels and lung function deficits and vice versa. The association was more prevalent during the wet season. Conclusions. The study calls for effective indoor air management programs in school environments to reduce PM exposure and respiratory health impacts. Participant Consent. Obtained. Ethics Approval. The research permit and approvals were obtained from the University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital Ethics and Research Committee (KNH-UoN ERC Reference: P599/08/2016) and the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (Reference: NACOSTI/P/18/4268/25724). Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Short-Term Effects of Ambient air Pollution on Pediatric Hospital Visits for Respiratory Diseases in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

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“…Most studies in Africa explored PM adverse effects on respiratory diseases among children in schools, near industrial areas, or mine dumps. This is the rst study to our knowledge that has assessed the effect on hospital visits 4,21 .…”

“…Air quality data are scarce from most parts of Africa, particularly West Africa. Available data reports widespread poor air quality near industries, factories or dumps 10,20,21 . Previous studies in Ouagadougou reported PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations above the WHO guidelines for air quality, with spatial and temporal variations across the city 6,7 .…”

PM10 Levels and Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in Communities around the Cement Industries

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