AIR POLLUTION AND RESPIRATORY DISEASE INCIDENCE AMONG URBAN CHILDREN

Abstract

Objective:
This longitudinal cohort study aimed to examine the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and the incidence of respiratory diseases among urban children in the south region of Pakistan. Specifically, the study focused on asthma prevalence, frequency of respiratory symptoms, and lung function decline in relation to measured pollution levels over time.

Method:
A cohort of 1,000 children aged 5-15 years was recruited from tertiary care centers in the urban areas of the south region of Pakistan. Air pollution levels were continuously monitored using air quality sensors to measure levels of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). Data on respiratory health outcomes, including asthma diagnosis, frequency of respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary function (via spirometry tests), were collected at baseline and annually for a period of 5 years. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the association between air pollution exposure and respiratory outcomes.

Results:
The study found a significant positive correlation between long-term exposure to elevated levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide and the incidence of asthma in children. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath increased as pollution levels rose. Additionally, a decline in lung function, as indicated by reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), was observed over the study period, with children in high-pollution areas showing more pronounced deterioration compared to those in lower-pollution areas.

Conclusion:
The findings of this study highlight the detrimental impact of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on respiratory health in urban children. The association between elevated levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide with asthma prevalence and respiratory symptoms underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to reduce air pollution in urban areas, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, where children are at high risk of respiratory diseases.