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Particles in Indoor Air Increase Asthma Symptoms in Children

Michael Forlini | Aug 12, 2009

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Particle pollution is also known as particulate matter, or PM, and its concentration levels are usually measured in micrograms. Researchers at Johns Hopkins found a direct correlation between increasing concentrations of PM in indoor air and increased asthma symptoms in preschool children.The study, published in the February issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, evaluated 150 inner city children with asthma in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

The concentrations of both fine (2.5 microns or less) and coarse (2.5-10 microns) particulate matter in each child's bedroom was monitored for the study. Samples were taken for three days at the start of the study and at 3 and 6 month intervals. Each child's health was assessed through caregiver reports.

Researchers found that a correlation exists with asthma symptoms and higher indoor air concentrations of both coarse and fine PM. According to the study, every increase of 10 micrograms of coarse PM per cubic meter of air (μg/m3), showed a 6 percent increase in the number of days the children displayed the asthma symptoms of coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness. Similarly, an increase in fine PM by 10 μg/m3 resulted in a 7 percent increase in the number of days the children were wheezing severely enough to limit their speech and a 4 percent increase in the number of days that rescue medication was used by the children.

Although both coarse and fine PM increased asthma symptoms, only an increase in fine PM resulted in an increase in the number of days the children needed medication. The researchers also found a striking relationship between indoor air fine PM exposure and exercise-related asthma symptoms.The researchers concluded that decreasing PM concentrations in indoor air could provide a way to improve the health of children who have asthma.

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