TRAFFIC EXPOSURE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ASTHMA IN YOUNG CHILDREN PRESENTED BY JEREMIAH JOHNSON MARIA MUELLER EVE 486

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM Traffic produces a mixture of both particulate matter and gaseous air pollution (VOCs, NOx, SOx) Scientific studies in the U.S. and abroad have found that children living near high traffic areas may have more asthma symptoms. The air pollutants that have been associated with the severity of asthma include PM2.5 and Ozone .

Anchorage, Alaska Gordian, M.E. et. al. evaluated associations between traffic exposure and diagnosis of asthma in children 756 surveys to children from 5 to 7 years of age were conducted in 13 elementary schools in the district of Anchorage, Alaska The survey included demographics, symptoms, parental asthma, whether there is a smoker in the household, housing type, household pets, cockroaches, mold, heating, humidifier use, and family income questions. Three levels of exposure were used in the analysis of the study: Low traffic exposure Medium traffic exposure High traffic exposure

Contingency Table Exposure No Asthma (%) Asthma (%) Combined Number (%) Low 471 (69.7%) 49 (61.2%) 520 Medium 161 (23.8%) 21 (26.3%) 182 High 44 (6.5%) 10 (12.5%) 54 Total 676 80 756

Results Unadjusted (n = 756) Adjusted (n = 671) Exposure Low Referent OR (95% CI) Exposure Low Referent Medium 1.25 1.40 High 2.19 2.83 Gender Male Female 1.06 Parent asthma No Yes 5.14 Smoker in house

Source: www.us.oneworld.net The Children that had high traffic exposure had a risk of developing asthma that is 2.19 times greater than those who had low traffic exposure The children who had medium traffic exposure has a risk of developing asthma that is 1.25 times greater than those who had low traffic exposure AFTER ADJUSMENT They found that there is a strong evidence to suggest that there is an increased risk associated with having at least one parent being previously diagnosed with asthma Source: www.us.oneworld.net

Diagnosis Some things your doctor will ask about include: Periods of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness that come on suddenly, occur often, or seem to happen during certain times of the year or season Colds that seem take more than 10 days to get over Things that seem to cause your symptoms or make them worse

Diagnosis Spirometer (speh-ro-et-er) Physical exam, medical history, and lung function tests… A correct diagnosis is important. peak flow meter

Diagnosis 4 Levels of Severity: Mild intermittent Mild persistent asthma Moderate persistent asthma Severe persistent asthma Anyone can have a severe asthma attack.

Treatment Working closely with your doctor Avoiding things that bring on your asthma symptoms Using asthma medicines Monitoring your asthma

Treatment Medication: Quick-relief or rescue medicine -Bronchodilators Long-term control -Inhaled corticosteroids -Leukotriene modifiers -Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists

Treatment With proper treatment you may: Reduce the amount of medicine Free of symptoms Fewer attacks Normal activities

Prevention Scientists do not yet know how to prevent the inflammation of the airways that leads to asthma. However: -Babies exposed to tobacco smoke -Obesity may be linked to asthma

DISCUSSION Prevalence of asthma is found to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas. High traffic exposure can increase the risk in children of being diagnosed with asthma. School location may be an important determinant of exposure to traffic related pollutants since children spend most of their time at school. Concentrations of traffic pollutants drop off rapidly with increasing in distance downwind from the road Economically disadvantaged students attend schools near high traffic volumes, and these schools that are located near high traffic volumes are more likely to be located in economically disadvantaged census tracks.

REFERENCES Gordian, M. E; Haneuse, S.; & Wakefield, J. An investigation of the association between traffic exposure and the diagnosis of asthma in children. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology (2006) 16, 49-55. Green, S. R; Smorodinsky, S.; McLaughlin, R.; Kim, J.; & Ostro, B. Proximity of California public schools to busy roads. Environmental Health Perspectives (2004) 112, 61-66. Behrens, T.; Taeger, D.; Maziak, W.; & Duhme, H. Self-reported traffic density and atopic disease in children. Results of the ISAAC Phase III survey in Muenster, Germany. Pediatric allergy and immunology (2004) 15, 331-339. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Resolution on Asthma Management at School