Premium
Effect of sulfur dioxide and particulate pollutants on bronchitis in children—A risk analysis
Author(s) -
Herbarth Olf,
Fritz Gisela,
Krumbiegel Peter,
Diez Ulrike,
Franck Ullrich,
Richter Matthias
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
environmental toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1522-7278
pISSN - 1520-4081
DOI - 10.1002/tox.1033
Subject(s) - bronchitis , environmental health , air pollution , particulates , pollutant , air pollutants , chronic bronchitis , particulate pollution , epidemiology , population , incidence (geometry) , sulfur dioxide , medicine , aerodynamic diameter , ultrafine particle , chemistry , biology , pathology , ecology , physics , optics , organic chemistry
The general morbidity is being influenced to a great extent by diseases of the respiratory tract. Since their incidence and prevalence have been increasing, the identification of causal factors, especially of environmental origin, is of importance, not just in view of implementing preventive control strategies. Primary irritative gaseous [like sulfur dioxide (SO 2 )] as well as particulate pollutants (like TSP) can be regarded as causal constituents. Using the opportunity of changing levels of ambient air pollution in East Germany since 1989, the impact of SO 2 and TSP on bronchitis was investigated over the last 10 years as part of several intervention studies in a locally defined homogenous population, children. The data suggest a significant association between SO 2 and the prevalence of bronchitis in children but not for TSP. Considering the findings of other studies with respect to air pollution and the epidemiology of adverse health effects (especially respiratory disease), these results would amend the hypothesis put forward in a review of the literature as TSP