Dataset Information

Health effects of the 2003 Southern California wildfires on children.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

In late October 2003, Southern California wildfires burned more than 3,000 km2. The wildfires produced heavy smoke that affected several communities participating in the University of Southern California Children's Health Study (CHS).

Objectives

To study the acute effects of fire smoke on the health of CHS participants.

Methods

A questionnaire was used to assess smoke exposure and occurrence of symptoms among CHS high-school students (n = 873; age, 17-18 yr) and elementary-school children (n = 5,551; age, 6-7 yr), in a total of 16 communities. Estimates of particulate matter (PM10) concentrations during the 5 d with the highest fire activity were used to characterize community smoke level.

Main results

All symptoms (nose, eyes, and throat irritations; cough; bronchitis; cold; wheezing; asthma attacks), medication usage, and physician visits were associated with individually reported exposure differences within communities. Risks increased monotonically with the number of reported smoky days. For most outcomes, reporting rates between communities were also associated with the fire-related PM10 levels. Associations tended to be strongest among those without asthma. Individuals with asthma were more likely to take preventive action, such as wearing masks or staying indoors during the fire.

Conclusions

Exposure to wildfire smoke was associated with increased eye and respiratory symptoms, medication use, and physician visits.

SUBMITTER: Kunzli N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2648104 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Health effects of the 2003 Southern California wildfires on children.

Künzli Nino N Avol Ed E Wu Jun J Gauderman W James WJ Rappaport Ed E Millstein Joshua J Bennion Jonathan J McConnell Rob R Gilliland Frank D FD Berhane Kiros K Lurmann Fred F Winer Arthur A Peters John M JM

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 20060831 11

<h4>Rationale</h4>In late October 2003, Southern California wildfires burned more than 3,000 km2. The wildfires produced heavy smoke that affected several communities participating in the University of Southern California Children's Health Study (CHS).<h4>Objectives</h4>To study the acute effects of fire smoke on the health of CHS participants.<h4>Methods</h4>A questionnaire was used to assess smoke exposure and occurrence of symptoms among CHS high-school students (n = 873; age, 17-18 yr) and e ...[more]

PMID: 16946126

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Dataset Information

Health effects of the 2003 Southern California wildfires on children.

Rationale

Objectives

Methods

Main results

Conclusions

Publications

Health effects of the 2003 Southern California wildfires on children.

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