Bronchial Responsiveness in Children Exposed to Atmospheric Pollution in Hong Kong
There is strong evidence of an association between atmospheric pollution, especially that produced by oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, ozone, and suspended particulates, and respiratory symptoms in exposed populations. There is concern that children exposed to these pollutants might be adversely affected in terms of their growth potential or predisposed to respiratory diseases during childhood and in later life. Although there is evidence to show that passive smoking is associated with impairment of pulmonary function and respiratory health in susceptible children, similar studies in children exposed to atmospheric pollution have been inconclusive.’ There is some experimental evidence to show that pollutants, such as oxides of nitrogen and ozone, increase bronchial reactivity (BR) in exposed individuals. Studies in adults with occupational or experimental exposure to various atmospheric pollutants have shown an association with faster deterioration of pulmonary function with age and a higher degree of BR.In a study of respiratory health in children residing in Hong Kong exposed to atmospheric pollution, it was demonstrated that living in an area with high atmospheric pollution was independently associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms compared to living in an area of better air quality. The determination of BR by histamine or methacholine challenge has been established as a useful, safe, and convenient epidemiologic tool in population-based studies of asthma in children and in studies of subclinical effects of environmental factors on the airways. Canadian pharmacy mall further This study was carried out to see if BR could serve as an additional objective tool in the assessment of the effects of atmospheric pollution on the airways of primary school children in Hong Kong and in the evaluation of any subsequent intervention program for air quality control. This study examined the factors associated with BR during a large survey of respiratory health in primary school children living in two districts in Hong Kong with contrasting levels of atmospheric pollution. Kwai Tsing district (KDT) has about 8,000 industrial outlets and a residential population of 441,000 (8 percent of the total Hong Kong population), living mostly in high-rise low-cost housing. The second district, southern district (SDT), is principally residential (population 257,ООО) but with the same type of low-cost housing.