Research into increased incidence of asthma

As the prevalence of asthma and other allergies in children has risen in recent decades, much international research has been focussed on finding the cause, or causes of the increase. Recent studies include an investigation into the impacts of exposure to petrochemical pollution on respiratory health in a population of Argentinean children.

Researchers compared four groups of children age 6-12: Those living near a petrochemical plant complex; in an urban region with exposure to heavy vehicle traffic; in a relatively non-polluted city residential area; and in a relatively non-polluted rural area.

The investigators collected data on the children's health, demographic status and lung function, along with measurements of airborne particulate matter and outdoor and indoor volatile organic compounds in each study area. The results showed that the concentration of volatile organic compounds and particulate matter was higher in the industrial and urban areas than the two relatively non-polluted areas.

The incidence of asthma, asthma flare-ups, respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, dyspnea, nocturnal cough and rhinitis were higher in children living near the petrochemical plants compared to those living in other regions. The researchers also found the length of time the children had lived in the respective area was a significant factor in the degree of deterioration of respiratory health, but other demographic factors such as age, gender, body mass index and proximity to busy roads were not.

Reference: Wichmann, et al. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, article in press.