Relationship Between Air Pollution and the Concentration of Nitric Oxide in the Exhaled Air (FeNO) in 8–9-Year-Old School Children in Krakow

Abstract

The consequences of air pollution pose one of the most serious threats to human health, and especially impact children from large agglomerations. The measurement of nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air (FeNO) is a valuable biomarker in detecting and monitoring airway inflammation. However, only a few studies have assessed the relationship between FeNO and the level of air pollution. The study aims to estimate the concentration of FeNO in the population of children aged 8–9 attending the third grade of public primary schools in Krakow, as well as to determine the relationship between FeNO concentration and dust and gaseous air pollutants. The research included 4580 children aged 8–9 years who had two FeNO measurements in the winter–autumn and spring–summer periods. The degree of air pollution was obtained from the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection in Krakow. The concentration of pollutants was obtained from three measurement stations located in different parts of the city. The FeNO results were related to air pollution parameters. The study showed weak but significant relationships between FeNO and air pollution parameters. The most significant positive correlations were found for CO8h (r = 0.1491, p < 0.001), C6H6 (r = 0.1420, p < 0.001), PM10 (r = 0.1054, p < 0.001) and PM2.5 (r = 0.1112, p < 0.001). We suggest that particulate and gaseous air pollutants impact FeNO concentration in children aged 8–9 years. More research is needed to assess the impact of air pollution on FeNO concentration in children. The results of such studies could help to explain the increase in the number of allergic and respiratory diseases seen in children in recent decades.

The association of exhaled nitric oxide with air pollutants in young infants of asthmatic mothers

“…As infants were typically assessed at 12 noon (± 2 h), the mean concentration for the 24 h to 12 pm local time (Australian Eastern Standard Time or Australian Eastern Daylight Time when applicable) was calculated from the hourly data. Since there is evidence for lagged effect of air pollutants [20,21], seven-day mean values were also calculated for each air pollutant in the same way.…”

“…While there is no published data on the effect of recent (seven days or less) exposure to air pollutants on eNO in infants, elevated eNO in children has been associated with recent exposure to environmental air pollutants including NO 2 , O 3 , carbon monoxide (CO), benzene, PM10 and particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) [19][20][21].…”

Review of Selected Air Pollutants in Bielsko-Biała in 2018-2022

“…Based on the analysis of the European Commission, approximately 47,000 Polish residents die prematurely every year due to air pollution, including 36,500 due to PM2.5 suspended dust [1]. 9 out of 10 people in the world breathe polluted air, which causes approximately 7 million deaths annually [2].…”

Health Hazard Related to Fine Road Dust in Poland

“…Breathing in dusty air for short periods is linked to conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coughing, breathlessness, wheezing, asthma, respiratory illnesses, and higher rates of hospitalisation. Over the long term, exposure to dust can lead to chronic asthma, reduced lung function, and cardiovascular diseases [31,33,34]. Furthermore, air pollution contributes to the development of visual impairment, kidney disease, and disruptions in the hormonal and central nervous systems, causing growth retardation and reduced immunity to bacterial infections.…”

“…Furthermore, pollution seems to have various adverse health effects early in human life, such as respiratory, cardiovascular, and psychological disorders, as well as perinatal complications [36]. These early health problems can ultimately result in mortality or chronic diseases during adulthood [34,37].…”