Second-hand smoke exposure in cars and respiratory health effects in children

Abstract

We examined potential associations of ever asthma, and symptoms of wheeze (past 12 months), hay fever, eczema and bronchitis (cough with phlegm) among school children exposed to second-hand smoke (SHS) in cars, using a modified Irish International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol.2,809 children of 13-14 yrs old and who selected randomly from post-primary schools throughout Ireland completed the 2007 ISAAC self-administered questionnaire. Adjusted OR (adjusted for sex, active smoking status of children interviewed and their SHS exposure at home) were estimated for the associations studied, using multivariable logistic regression techniques.Overall, 14.8% (13.9% in young males, 15.4% in young females) of Irish children aged 13-14 yrs old were exposed to SHS in cars. Although there was a tendency towards increased likelihood of both respiratory and allergic symptoms with SHS exposure in cars, wheeze and hay fever symptoms were significantly higher (adjusted OR 1.35 (95% CI 1.08-1.70) and 1.30 (1.01-1.67), respectively), while bronchitis symptoms and asthma were not significant (1.33 (0.92-1.95) and 1.07 (0.81-1.42), respectively).Approximately one in seven Irish schoolchildren are exposed to SHS in cars and could have adverse respiratory health effects. Further studies are imperative to explore such associations across different population settings.

Most relevant sources of indoor particles in children’s rooms and respiratory health effects of size-segregated particles

“…However, independent from this fact, we found significant correlations between smoking habits and measured particle concentrations. It has already been shown by earlier studies that indoor smoking increased risks for bronchitis and other respiratory diseases [3,4,10,11]. Our study may point to the fact that in particular particle exposure resulting from smoking contributes to bronchitis in children and not only gaseous components of ETS.…”

“…There are many indications that indoor smoking can increase risks for bronchitis, and other respiratory outcomes [3,4]. Heating and cooking may also be important indoor particle sources.…”

The Impact of Smoke Exposure on the Clinical Phenotype of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in Ireland: Exploiting a National Registry to Understand a Rare Disease

“…Apart from increasing the cumulative lifetime exposure to tobacco smoke, the results of this study indicate that passive smoke exposure in childhood, in particular parental smoking, influence smoking habits in adulthood by increasing the likelihood of ever smoking and the total pack year cigarette consumption. Further efforts to reduce passive smoke exposure in automobiles are welcome initiatives that are undergoing legislative implementation in some countries at present (26).…”

Monitoring asthma in childhood: management-related issues

“…There is good evidence that second-hand tobacco smoke exposure causes asthma, more severe asthma symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airways inflammation and adverse effects on respiratory health in children and adolescents [64][65][66][67]. Studies in emergency departments have identified that children presenting with wheeze are more likely to be exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke compared with those presenting with other conditions and that second-hand tobacco smoke exposure is weakly associated with more severe acute asthma [66,68].…”