Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Asthma Onset in Children
Author Information
Author(s): Michael Jerrett, Ketan Shankardass, Kiros Berhane, W. James Gauderman, Nino Künzli, Edward Avol, Frank Gilliland, Fred Lurmann, Jassy N. Molitor, John T. Molitor, Duncan C. Thomas, John Peters, Rob McConnell
Primary Institution: University of California, Berkeley
Hypothesis
Does traffic-related air pollution contribute to asthma onset in children?
Conclusion
Traffic-related air pollution exposure is associated with the onset of asthma in children.
Supporting Evidence
- Children with higher exposure to traffic-related air pollution had a higher incidence of asthma.
- The hazard ratio for asthma onset was 1.29 for average residential NO2 exposure.
- The study used individual exposure measurements rather than modeled estimates.
Takeaway
This study found that kids living near heavy traffic are more likely to develop asthma.
Methodology
The study followed 217 children over 8 years, measuring their exposure to nitrogen dioxide and tracking new asthma cases.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from self-reported asthma diagnoses and the exclusion of children with a history of asthma.
Limitations
The study had a relatively small sample size and relied on self-reported asthma diagnoses.
Participant Demographics
The sample included a diverse group of children, primarily Hispanic and white, with a median age of 9.6 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.00018
Confidence Interval
1.07–1.56
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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