Effects of Air Pollution on Respiratory System of Children in Anshan City / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the adverse effects of outdoor air pollution on children's respiratory system health in Anshan city. Methods 1951 children were randomly selected from three areas with different degree of air pollution in Anshan city. The parents of the children were asked to answer a questionnaire about their children's respiratory health and home environment. The data of health were collected included persistent cough, persistent phlegm, asthma, current asthma, wheeze, and wheeze symptom. Results The prevalence rates of persistent cough, persistent phlegm, asthma, current asthma, wheeze and wheeze symptom were 9.48%, 4.82%, 1.33%, 0.92%, 6.30% and 4.97% respectively. Outdoor air pollution was a risk factor for persistent cough and persistent phlegm. The respiratory symptoms increased as the house became near to the main traffic lines. Combined effect of susceptible factor and outdoor air pollution was obvious, the prevalence rates of respiratory diseases were higher in the susceptible children who were influenced by the other risk factors compared with those who were not influenced by the same factors. Conclusion Outdoor air pollution is an important factor which will damage children's respiratory system in Anshan city.