April 2003
AIR POLLUTION AND MORE CHILDHOOD ASTHMA
Detailed air pollution measurements and health surveys were conducted for a 3 month period in 16 asthmatic Hispanic children aged 10-16 years living in non-tobacco smoking homes in Los Angeles, California. Increasing levels of many pollutants including nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, benzene, formaldehyde and particulates.
- Ralph Delfino et al. Asthma symptoms in Hispanic Children and daily ambient expsuresto toxic and criteria air pollutants. Environmental Health Perspectives April2003;111(4):647-656.
March 2003: Volcanic ash and respiratory symptoms in children on the island of Montserrat, British West Indies.
VOLCANIC ASH AND CHILDRENS ASTHMA
Volcano eruptions can generate large quanities of airborne particulates, sulfur oxides, hydrogen sulfide and toxic metals like mercury, arsenic and iridium to the atmosphere. A volcano on the island of Montserrat, British West Indies, has erupted intemittently since 1995. During heavy ashfalls, the airborne levels of particulates smaller than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) reached levels as high as 150,000 micrograms per cubic meter of air- which is 3,000 times the US EPA annual limit of 50 microns PM10/ cubic meter air. The incidence of wheezing was 3.8 times as common in children moderately to heavily exposed to volcanic ash as compared to unexposed children (95% confidence range of 1.7 to 7.0).
- L Forbes et al. Volcanic ash and respiratory symptoms in children on the island of Montserrat, British West Indies. Occupational and Environmental Medicine
March 2003; 60(3):207-211.
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