Annual SO₂ exposure, asthma, atopy, and lung function in Puerto Rican children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Long-term effects of sulfur dioxide (SO₂ ) exposure on children, a vulnerable population, are largely unknown. Further, how long-term SO₂ affects Puerto Rican children living in the island of Puerto Rico, a group with high asthma prevalence, is unclear. We evaluated the effects of annual average 1-hour daily maximum SO₂ average on asthma, atopy, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and lung function in Puerto Rican children.

Methods

A cohort of 678 children (351 with asthma, 327 without asthma) was recruited in Puerto Rico from 2009 to 2010. Annual average 1-hour daily maximum SO₂ exposure was interpolated utilizing publicly available monitoring data. Multivariable logistic and linear regression was used for the analysis of asthma, atopy (defined as an IgE ?0.35 IU/mL to at least one of five common aero-allergens), total IgE, and lung function measures (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1?second [FEV1], and FEV1/FVC ratio).

Results

Annual SO₂ exposure (per 1?ppb) was significantly associated with asthma (odds ratio [OR]?=?1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]?=?1.05-1.91) and atopy (OR?=?1.35; 95% CI?=?1.02-1.78). Such exposure was also significantly associated with lower FEV1/FVC in all children (??=?-1.42; 95% CI?=?-2.78 to -0.08) and in children with asthma (??=?-2.39; 95% CI=?-4.31 to -0.46). Annual SO₂ exposure was not significantly associated with total IgE, FEV1, or FVC.

Conclusions

Among Puerto Rican children in Puerto Rico, long-term SO₂ exposure is linked to asthma and atopy. In these children, long-term SO₂ exposure is also associated with reduced FEV1/FVC, particularly in those with asthma.

SUBMITTER: Rosser F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7122992 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature