Research progress on relationship between environmental exposure and autism spectrum disorder in children / 环境与职业医学

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and its prevalence has been increasing during the recent years, which has posed a great impact on the families of the patients and society. Epidemiological studies have found that environmental exposure factors have an important impact on the occurrence and development of ASD, including pesticides, heavy metals, poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, phenols, and air pollution. This paper focused on the relationship between environmental exposure to the above mentioned typical environmental exposure factors and the occurrence of ASD, in order to provide reference for related research of ASD.

Exposição à água contaminada: percepções e práticas em um bairro de Manaus, Brasil / Exposure to contaminated water: perceptions and practices in a neighborhood in the city of Manaus, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Investigar o modo de abastecimento de água e a percepção quanto aos problemas causados por essa água entre moradores de um bairro sem abastecimento público e instalado numa área anteriormente utilizada como depósito de lixo na Cidade de Manaus, Brasil. MÉTODOS. Foram realizadas 162 entrevistas semiestruturadas em domicílios do bairro, além de um grupo focal com professores de uma escola pública local, onde também houve uma reunião com moradores. Os instrumentos aplicados enfocaram a percepção e os modos de uso da água e o processo de exposição a contaminantes químicos pela água. RESULTADOS: Predominou entre a população o uso de água de poço sem qualquer tratamento. Essa água foi considerada como "boa" por 64,8 por cento dos entrevistados. A maioria dos moradores (88,3 por cento) declarou saber da existência do lixão; desses, 77,6 por cento afirmaram que o lixão causava problemas ao ambiente e à saúde. Contudo, análises qualitativas das respostas não demonstraram reconhecimento da contaminação por elementos químicos e nem de suas possíveis consequências. Em atividades com os professores, ficou claro que os mesmos conheciam parcialmente o problema, não realizando intervenções a esse respeito. Em reunião com os moradores foi identificada uma militância relativa ao problema dentro do bairro, mas que não extrapolava a localidade e não interagia com esferas governamentais. CONCLUSÕES. O estudo identificou uma situação crítica de exposição que tende a se perpetuar em decorrência de percepções equivocadas e da falta de mobilização da sociedade. A disseminação de resultados junto a professores e moradores locais foi útil para empoderar os sujeitos da pesquisa.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the modes of water supply and the perception concerning the problems caused by this water among residents of a neighborhood without public supply of water, settled in an area previously used as a garbage dump in the city of Manaus, Brazil. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-two semi-structured household interviews were conducted. In addition, a focal group with teachers from a local public school and a meeting with residents were held. The instruments employed focused on the perception and modes of water use and on the process of exposure to chemical contaminants through water. RESULTS: Untreated well water was used by most families. This water was considered to be "good" by 64.8 percent of the individuals interviewed. Most residents (88.3 percent) declared knowledge about the garbage dump. Of these, 77.6 percent stated that the garbage dump caused health and environmental problems. However, qualitative analysis of the responses revealed that the residents were not aware of contamination by chemical elements or of the consequences of such contamination. The activities carried out with teachers revealed that they were partially aware of the problem, but did not design interventions to address the issue. In a meeting with neighborhood residents, the presence of social activism concerning the problem was identified, but it did not extend beyond the neighborhood or reach governmental spheres. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified a situation of critical exposure that tends to be maintained as a result of misperceptions and lack of social mobilization. The dissemination of research results to teachers and residents was useful to empower subjects.

A Paired Case-Control Study on Risk Factors of Allergic Rhinitis in Adults / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To understand the risk factors of allergic rhinitis in adults. Methods Using 1:1 paired matching case-control study design, 100 pairs of adults allergic rhinitis patients and the relevant controls from the E.N.T. department of Renmin Hospital of Peking University were recruited. Cases and controls were interviewed face to face using a designed health questionnaire in which the general social demographic characters, disease history, smoking history, occupation, indoor environmental situation and family genetic history were included. The questionnaires were analyzed by signal and multiple regression model of SPSS software. Results Allergic rhinitis was associated with the pollen allergic history (OR=2.04,95%CI: 1.31-3.20), occupational exposure to dust was a risk factor of allergic rhinitis (OR=1.46, 95%CI:0.83-2.57), the mother allergic rhinitis history could increase the risk of their off-springs suffering from allergic rhinitis(OR=2.05, 95%CI:1.03-4.07) and keeping ventilation could significantly decrease the risk suffering from allergic rhinitis(OR=0.70, 95%CI:0.34-1.18). Conclusion The occupational dust exposure, pollen allergy and mother allergic rhinitis history are related to allergic rhinitis in adults. Keeping ventilation may be a protective factor of allergic rhinitis in adults.

Environmental Risk Factors for Allergic Rhinitis:a Case-Control Study / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To investigate the environmental risk factors for allergic rhinitis, especially indoor environmental risk factors. Methods Hospital-based case-control study design was used. The 42 adult patients with allergic rhinitis and 57 controls from the third affiliated hospital of Peking University were interviewed face to face by trained nurses using questionnaire, which included general social demographic characteristics, disease history, smoking, occupation, indoor environment, family allergic history and other relevant information. Results The case whose parents had allergic diseases likely got allergic rhinitis (OR=2.882,95%CI:1.028-8.077). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was positively associated with salad oil used for cooking (OR=3.777, P