Effects of working and residential location areas on air pollution related respiratory symptoms in policemen and their wives in Bangkok, Thailand

Factors, including air pollution, influencing the prevalence of respiratory symptoms were investigated in a cross-sectional study in policemen and their wives (530 couples) in Bangkok. Information on respiratory symptoms was obtained using the American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) questionnaire. Effects of working and residential locations were evaluated using a multiple logistic model adjusted for several potential confounding factors. In the policemen the increased risk of frequent cough or phlegm was related to smoking (OR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.47-3.26) and working in heavy traffic locations (OR=1.27, CI: 1.01-1.61), whereas in their wives it was related to their residential locations (OR=1.53, CI: 1.10-2.13).     

道路空气污染对交通警察肺功能的影响

目的观察汽车尾气空气污染对健康成年男性肺功能的慢性长期影响。方法测定北京市区5环之内工作的100名交通警察及34名健康人的肺功能情况，指标包括：峰流速值（PEF）、用力呼气肺活量（FVC）、第1秒用力呼气容最（FEV，）及弥散量（TLCOc／SB）。按工作区域分为4组：2环路组、3环路组、4环路组、5环路组，按岗龄分为3组：1—10年岗龄组、11—20年组、21年以上组；观察各组间的指标并与止常对照组进行比较。结果21年以上岗龄组各指标均明显低于正常对照组和11—20年组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；2环路组各指标均低于5环路组，其中FVC的差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）：与正常对照组比较，2环路组、3环路组、4环路组的PEF和2环路组的TLCOc／SB均明显降低，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；非吸烟警察组的PEF明显低于正常对照组且有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；年龄、岗龄及吸烟指数与各指标间均呈负相关，其中年龄与FVC、岗龄与FVC、FEV1、TLCOc／SB间的相关性均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论长期接触汽车尾气等空气污染物小仅造成肺通气功能下降，也能造成肺弥散功能的下降。     

空气污染对交通警察呼吸系统影响

目的了解沈阳市空气污染暴露对交通警察呼吸系统影响, 为职业健康保护提供科学依据。方法通过问卷调查132名男性交通警察(外勤组79名, 内勤组53名)基本情况、呼吸道症状及肺功能相关指标, 比较2组呼吸系统健康状况。结果外勤组咳嗽、咳痰、气短、连续打喷嚏、鼻干燥、咽喉不适等呼吸系统不适症状发生率分别为64.56%、50.63%、35.44%、25.32%、48.10%和69.62%, 均高于内勤组的22.64%、28.30%、16.98%、9.43%、26.42%和32.08%(P<0.05);外勤组的肺功能指标肺活量(VC)、用力肺活量(FVC)、第1秒用力呼气量(FEV1.0)、呼气峰值流速(PEF)及实测值/预计值分别为(82.27±14.57)%、(84.63±15.97)%、(88.70±11.34)%、(72.62±21.20)%, 均低于内勤组的(94.25±12.28)%、(93.51±14.25)%、(96.64±12.33)%、(82.94±20.61)%(P<0.05);外勤组阻塞性和限制性通气功能障碍发生率分别为1.89%和7.55%, 明显高于内勤组的15.19%和20.25%(P<0.05)。结论空气污染暴露严重危害交通警察呼吸系统健康。     

Exposure to vehicular pollution and respiratory impairment of traffic policemen in Jalgaon City, India

The ambient air quality monitoring was carried during the May 2003 to April 2004 along the (NH-6) passing through Jalgaon city. The average concentration of SOx 64 microg/m3, NOx 58 microg/ m3, particulates (> 10 micro) 515 microg/m3 and respirable dust particulates 224 microg/m3 was reported at Prabhat during the study period (May 2003-April 2004). This location represents the major highway crossings (four) in the study area. The present investigations are on the survey of health status and lung function of traffic policemen exposed to the inferior air quality as observed on the highway crossings. The spirometric analysis of traffic policemen shows significant variation in Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The parameters were significantly affected in the traffic policemen as against the control group of population. It reveals significant respiratory impairment in the traffic policemen due to exposure to vehicular pollution. The study suggest the compulsory use of personal protective equipment (nose mask) by the traffic policemen during duty hours will help for the protection from vehicular pollution. The regular periodic health checkup is required to understand the impact of vehicular pollution on the health of traffic policemen.     

Particulate air pollution and respiratory disease in Anchorage, Alaska.

This paper examines the associations between average daily particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) and temperature with daily outpatient visits for respiratory disease including asthma, bronchitis, and upper respiratory illness in Anchorage, Alaska, where there are few industrial sources of air pollution. In Anchorage, PM10 is composed primarily of earth crustal material and volcanic ash. Carbon monoxide is measured only during the winter months. The number of outpatients visits for respiratory diagnoses during the period 1 May 1992 to 1 March 1994 were derived from medical insurance claims for state and municipal employees and their dependents covered by Aetna insurance. The data were filtered to reduce seasonal trends and serial autocorrelation and adjusted for day of the week. The results show that an increase of 10 micrograms/m3 in PM10 resulted in a 3-6% increase in visits for asthma and a 1-3% increase in visits for upper respiratory diseases. Winter CO concentrations were significantly associated with bronchitis and upper respiratory illness, but not with asthma. Winter CO was highly correlated with automobile exhaust emissions. These findings are consistent with the results of previous studies of particulate pollution in other urban areas and provide evidence that the coarse fraction of PM10 may affect the health of working people.     

Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among traffic police in Bangkok, Thailand.

The authors undertook a cross-sectional study of the potential adverse health effects of air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand. During 1998 and 1999, the authors administered lung function spirometry tests and a Thai version of the American Thoracic Society's Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) respiratory questionnaire to 78 male traffic police and 60 male nontraffic police in Bangkok, as well as to 68 male general police in Ayutthaya province, a rural area in Thailand. No consistent trend of decreased pulmonary function was observed in traffic police. The authors controlled for age, height, and smoking index, after which mean levels of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and maximal expiratory flow rate in 25% of vital capacity (V25) were significantly lower in Bangkok police than in Ayutthaya police. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among Bangkok police was slightly higher than among Ayutthaya police. Multiple regression analysis identified age and workplace as statistically significant factors that contributed to the values of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and V25. This study provided some evidence of an increase in prevalence of obstructive changes in the peripheral airways among traffic police in Bangkok.     

Acute effects of urban air pollution on respiratory health of children with and without chronic respiratory symptoms

OBJECTIVES: To investigate to what extent different components of air pollution are associated with acute respiratory health effects in children with and without chronic respiratory symptoms. METHODS: During three consecutive winters starting in 1992-3, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and respiratory symptoms were registered daily in panels of children of 7-11 years old with and without symptoms, living in urban areas with high traffic intensity in The Netherlands. Simultaneously, panels of children living in non-urban areas were studied. Daily measurements of particles with aerodynamic diameter < 10 microns (PM10), black smoke (BS), sulphate, SO2, and NO2 were performed in both areas. RESULTS: The contrast in particle concentrations (PM10, BS, and sulphate) between urban and non-urban areas was small, but there was more contrast in the concentrations of SO2 and NO2. In children with symptoms from both areas, significant associations were found between PM10, BS, and sulphate concentrations and the prevalence of symptoms of the lower respiratory tract (LRS) and decrements in PEF. Particle concentrations were also associated with use of bronchodilators in the urban areas, but not in the non-urban areas. After stratification by use of medication, stronger associations were found in children who used medication than in children who did not use medication. The magnitude of the estimated effects was in the order of a twofold increase in the use of bronchodilators, a 50% increase in LRS, and an 80% increase in decrements in PEF for a 100 micrograms/m3 increase in the 5 day mean PM10 concentration. In children without symptoms, significant associations were found between concentrations of PM10 and BS and decrements in PEF in both areas, but these associations were smaller than those for children with symptoms. No associations with respiratory symptoms were found. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that children with symptoms are more susceptible to the effects of particulate air pollution than children without symptoms, and that use of medication for asthma does not prevent the adverse effects of particulate air pollution in children with symptoms.

 

     

Ambient air pollution and chronic respiratory morbidity in Delhi

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study among residents of Delhi to determine the role of ambient air pollution in chronic respiratory morbidity in Delhi. The authors selected a random, stratified sample (N = 4,171) of permanent residents who were 18+ y of age and who lived near 1 of the 9 permanent air quality monitoring stations in the city. Air-quality data for the past 10 y were obtained; data were based on the differences in total suspended particulates, and the study areas were categorized into lower- and higher-pollution zones. A standardized questionnaire was administered, clinical examination was carried out, and spirometry followed. The authors assessed chronic respiratory morbidity by (a) prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms (i.e., chronic cough, phlegm, breathlessness, and wheezing) and airway diseases (i.e., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma); and (b) lung function results in asymptomatic nonsmoking subjects in the two pollution zones. A multiple logistic regression identified the determinants of chronic symptoms. Smoking, male sex, increasing age, and lower socioeconomic status were strong independent risk factors for occurrence of chronic respiratory symptoms. In the comparison of nonsmoking residents of lower- and higher-pollution zones--stratified according to socioeconomic levels and sex--chronic cough, chronic phlegm, and dyspnea (but not wheezing) were significantly more common in the higher-pollution zone in only some of the strata. Furthermore, prevalence rates of bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic bronchitis among residents in the two pollution zones were not significantly different. Nonetheless, lung function of asymptomatic nonsmokers was consistently and significantly better among both male and female residents of the lower-pollution zone.     

交通环境污染对交通警健康影响的调查

本文对123名交通警健康检查,以神经系统、呼吸系统和精神方面改变明显。听力测试经年龄修正后,以高频听力损失为主,未见语频听力损失,与同声级稳态噪声的高频听力损失对比有显著性差异。交通警碳氧血红蛋白均值为0.0233,明显高于对照组0.0147,P<0.01。本次调查结果表明,交通警的碳氧血红蛋白伍增高和出现一系列神经功能性变化及听力损失,系交通噪声、一氧化碳共同作用的结果。     

Exposure to carcinogenic air pollutants among policemen working close to traffic in an urban area

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates individual airborne exposure to gaseous and particulate carcinogenic pollutants in a group of policemen working close to traffic in the center of Grenoble, France. METHODS: Sixty-two personal active air samples were collected during the workshifts of eight policemen in summer and in winter during the occurrence of the thermal inversion phenomenon. Seventeen stationary air samples were monitored in the policemen's work area during the same period with the same sampling devices as used for the personal samples. The respirable particle concentration was determined using the gravimetric method. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aldehydes were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric or ultraviolet detection. The benzene-toluene-xylene levels were determined with gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. RESULTS: The median concentration of the personal samples for respirable particles was 55.5 microg/m3 in the summer and 124 microg/m3 in the winter. The corresponding values were 0.10 and 0.28 ng/m3 for benzo(a)pyrene, 14 and 21 microg/m3 for formaldehyde, and 10.5 and 23.5 microg/m3 for benzene. The median personal concentrations were equal to or higher than the corresponding stationary levels for both seasons. Compared with the concentration of aldehydes, the concentrations of respirable particles, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and benzene-toluene-xylene appeared to show higher individual variability. CONCLUSIONS: The occupational exposure of policemen does not exceed any currently applicable occupational or medical exposure limits. Individual particulate levels should preferably be monitored in Grenoble in winter to avoid underestimations.     

Traffic-related air pollution and childhood respiratory symptoms, function and allergies

BACKGROUND: Urban air pollution can trigger asthma symptoms in children, but there is conflicting evidence on effects of long-term exposure on lung function, onset of airway disease and allergic sensitization. METHODS: The spatial distribution of nitrogen oxides from traffic (traffic-NOx) and inhalable particulate matter from traffic (traffic-PM10) in the study area was assessed with emission databases and dispersion modeling. Estimated levels were used to assign first-year exposure levels for children in a prospective birth cohort (n = 4089), by linking to geocoded home addresses. Parents in 4 Swedish municipalities provided questionnaire data on symptoms and exposures when the children were 2 months and 1, 2, and 4-year-old. At 4 years, 73% of the children underwent clinical examination including peak expiratory flow and specific IgE measurements. RESULTS: Exposure to air pollution from traffic during the first year of life was associated with an excess risk of persistent wheezing (odds ratio [OR] for 44 microg/m3 [5th-95th percentile] difference in traffic-NOx = 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.36). Similar results were found for sensitization (measured as specific IgE) to inhalant allergens, especially pollen (OR for traffic-NOx = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.10-2.53), at the age of 4 years. Traffic-related air pollution exposure during the first year of life was also associated with lower lung function at 4 years of age. Results were similar using traffic-NOx and traffic-PM10 as indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to moderate levels of locally emitted air pollution from traffic early in life appears to influence the development of airway disease and sensitization in preschool children.     

室内空气污染对呼吸道症状和肺功能的影响

目的 探讨室内空气污染对呼吸道症状和肺功能的影响。方法 通过逐步回归分析方法分析不同生活燃料造成的室内空气污染对肺功能的影响。结果 分析了10892人的调查资料，在调整了混杂因素影响后，家庭内使用有烟煤的人群产生呼吸道症状(气短、咳嗽和咳痰)的危险性高于使用无烟煤。使用有烟煤患有气短、咳嗽和咳痰的OR值分别为1．71、3．30和4．23；使用无烟煤发生咳嗽、咳痰的危险性分别是使用柴的1．35和1．67倍。改炉灶可以降低这些症状的出现率。结论 使用有烟煤造成的室内空气污染是最大呼气流速(PEER)降低的主要危险因素，其次是无烟煤和柴。     

Effects of air pollution episodes on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms

In January 1985, a decline of primary school children's pulmonary function was observed during an air pollution episode. Ambient 24 hour average levels of SO2, TSP and RSP were in the range of 200-250 micrograms/m3. The response persisted for at least two weeks. In January 1987, again a decline of school children's pulmonary function was observed associated with an air pollution episode. Levels of TSP were about as elevated as in the 1985 episode. Two weeks after the episode, lung function levels were even lower than during the episode. In June 1987 a long term study was started to investigate potential effects of winter and summer air pollution episodes on pulmonary function and occurrence of acute respiratory symptoms of primary school children. An important issue for this study is the characterization of short term variation of lung function in absence of air pollution. Exposure is characterized by ambient levels of several gases (SO2, NO2, O3, HNO3), PM10, TSP and components of particulate matter (SO4(2-), NO3-, H-, NH4+). Sampling is being conducted on a daily basis to obtain a continuous exposure estimate. In the winter of 1987/1988, no air pollution episodes were observed. The study will continue through the winters of 1988/1989, and 1989/1990.     

Occupational exposure, environmental pollution and chronic respiratory symptoms in Vietnam

Since the introduction of the market economy in 1986, Vietnam has been in the process of rapid economic development. However, the current state of affairs in the industries is very profit-oriented and due consideration is not given to the occupational health services and environmental health. In order to investigate the relationship among occupational exposure to dust/chemicals (toxic gases/fume), environmental pollution and chronic respiratory symptoms in Vietnam, the questionnaire standardized by the American Thoracic Society was applied to 1,562 subjects living in the Quang Ninh area and its surroundings, North Vietnam. Chronic respiratory symptoms such as cough, phlegm, wheezing and breathlessness appeared from the questionnaire. According to the results of multiple logistic regression analyses, among current non-smokers, the odds ratios of chronic respiratory symptoms with a history of occupational exposure to dust, living in polluted district and age were over unity. Especially for cough, significantly higher odds ratios were observed among those with the history of occupational exposure to dust: 2.248 (95% confidential interval: 1.642-3.077). Among current smokers, the odds ratios of chronic respiratory symptoms with the history of occupational exposure to dust were over unity. These results indicate that the history of occupational exposure to dust, living in polluted area and age cause non-smokers to have chronic respiratory symptoms, and also that the history of occupational exposure to dust affect the current smokers.     

The relationship between air pollution from heavy traffic and allergic sensitization,bronchial hyperresponsiveness,and respiratory symptoms in Dutch schoolchildren

Studies have suggested that children living close to busy roads may have impaired respiratory health. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that exposure to exhaust from heavy traffic in particular is related to childhood respiratory health. Children attending 24 schools located within 400 m from busy motorways were investigated. The motorways carried between 5,190 and 22,326 trucks per weekday and between 30,399 and 155,656 cars per day. Locations were chosen so that the correlation between truck and car traffic counts was low. Air pollution measurements were performed at the schools for 1 year. Respiratory symptoms were collected by parent-completed questionnaire. Sensitization to common allergens was measured by serum immunoglobulin E and skin prick tests. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was measured with a hypertonic saline challenge. Respiratory symptoms were increased near motorways with high truck but not high car traffic counts. They were also related to air pollutants that increased near motorways with high truck traffic counts. Lung function and BHR were not related to pollution. Sensitization to pollen increased in relation to truck but not car traffic counts. The relation between symptoms and measures of exposure to (truck) traffic-related air pollution were almost entirely restricted to children with BHR and/or sensitization to common allergens, indicating that these are a sensitive subgroup among all children for these effects.     

某市交通污染对交通警察血压影响的初步研究

目的了解某市交通污染对交通警察血压的影响。方法现场监测交通道口污染状况,并以某市281名男性内、外勤交通警察为对象进行问卷调查,同时测定静坐位血压。结果外勤组交通警察血压异常率高于内勤组,外勤组交通警察收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)水平均高于内勤组(P<0.05)。但经分层分析,在高年龄组(≥45岁)和高工龄组(≥20年)中内外勤组间血压异常率、舒张压、收缩压差异有显著性(P<0.05),而在低年龄组和低工龄组中内外勤组间血压异常率、舒张压、收缩压差异无显著性(P<0.05)。结论长期接触交通污染环境能引起交通警察血压的改变。     

Effects of air pollution on changes in lung function induced by exercise in children with chronic respiratory symptoms

Objective: To investigate how daily variations in ambient air pollution, especially in particles, during the cold of winter affect repeated measurements of baseline lung function and exercise induced bronchial responsiveness among primary school children with chronic respiratory symptoms.

Methods: During alternate school weeks (mamimum five) from February to April 1994, 33 children took part in exercise challenge tests (n=141 tests). The exercise challenges were conducted outdoors in a school yard in the centre of Kuopio, Finland. Spirometric lung functions were measured indoors before the exercise, and 3 and 10 minutes after. Daily mean concentrations of PM₁₀, black smoke (BS), NO₂, CO, SO₂, and particle size and numbers were monitored at a nearby fixed monitoring site.

Results: Daily variations in ambient air pollution were not associated with enhanced bronchial responsiveness. However, increased concentrations of BS, PM₁₀, particle numbers, NO₂, and CO were consistently associated with an impairment of baseline lung functions. The reductions in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) were 0.5% and 0.6%, respectively, for each 10 µg/m³ increase in BS (lag 2).

Conclusion: Particles derived from combustion affect baseline lung function rather than bronchial responsiveness among children with chronic respiratory symptoms.

     

煤烟型大气污染对儿童呼吸系统疾病及症状影响研究

采用现场流行病学调查 ,对太原市大气污染程度不同的 3个地区的小学生进行了健康问卷调查和五官检查 ,研究结果表明 :重 (中 )污染区儿童鼻炎、咽喉炎、扁桃体炎发病率分别大于相对清洁区 ,3个研究区域比较差异有极显著性 (P <0 0 1) ;儿童呼吸道症状的发生率和呼吸道疾病患病率表现为重污染区和中污染区较为接近 ,但明显高于相对清洁区 ,且有显著性差异 (P <0 0 5 )。Logistic分析结果显示儿童咳嗽、咳痰症状发生的危险性表现为重度污染区是相对清洁区的 1 6 4～ 2 92倍 ,中度污染区是相对清洁区的 1 83～2 2 7倍。儿童呼吸系统疾病发生的危险性表现为重度污染区是相对清洁区的 2 6 2～ 5 6 8倍 ,中度污染区是相对清洁区的 1 40～ 4 46倍。提示太原市煤烟型大气污染对儿童呼吸系统产生了一定危害