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

2. 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 .

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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:

7. 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

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

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

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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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,
Green, S. R; Smorodinsky, S.; McLaughlin, R.; Kim, J.; & Ostro, B. Proximity of California public schools to busy roads. Environmental Health Perspectives (2004) 112,
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,
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Resolution on Asthma Management at School