RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effects of daily variation in outdoor particulates and ambient acid species in normal and asthmatic children JF Thorax JO Thorax FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society SP 489 OP 502 DO 10.1136/thorax.57.6.489 VO 57 IS 6 A1 D J Ward A1 K T Roberts A1 N Jones A1 R M Harrison A1 J G Ayres A1 S Hussain A1 S Walters YR 2002 UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/57/6/489.abstract 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.