PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - D J Ward
AU  - K T Roberts
AU  - N Jones
AU  - R M Harrison
AU  - J G Ayres
AU  - S Hussain
AU  - S Walters
TI  - Effects of daily variation in outdoor particulates and ambient acid species in normal and asthmatic children
AID  - 10.1136/thorax.57.6.489
DP  - 2002 Jun 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 489--502
VI  - 57
IP  - 6
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/57/6/489.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/57/6/489.full
SO  - Thorax2002 Jun 01; 57
AB  - Background: Evidence suggests that the respiratory health of children may be adversely affected by daily variation in outdoor pollutants, particularly ozone and particulates. However, data from the UK are sparse and the contribution of different particulate fractions and acid species, together with the identification of those individuals most at risk, are not clear. Methods: One hundred and sixty two 9 year old children were enrolled from two inner city locations and recorded daily symptoms and twice daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) over 8 week periods in the winter and summer. Their results were analysed with daily pollutant levels at appropriate lags using regression models which corrected for trends, weather, pollen, and autocorrelation. Results: Pollutant levels were generally low, especially in the summer. Multiple statistically significant associations were noted between health outcomes and pollutant concentrations, but no consistent patterns in identified effects were apparent between pollutants, lags, direction of observed effect, or location. There was no evidence to suggest that subgroups with atopy or pre-existing wheeze are more sensitive to pollutant effects. Conclusion: These data do not suggest that adverse health outcomes are associated with daily variation in health effects. No evidence was found to indicate that particulates or individual acid and anion species are more closely related to adverse health outcomes than other pollutants.