Title: Road traffic, NO₂ exposure and respiratory function among children (VESTA study)

Authors: Stephanie Gauvin, Saleh Amro, Denis Zmirou, Yvon Le Moullec, Fathia Sahraoui, Isabelle Pin, Francoise Neukirch, Isabelle Momas, Nathalie Lauvergne, Marie-Pierre Poilve, Mireille Chiron

Addresses: Public Health Department, School of Medicine, Grenoble University, 38700 La Tronche, France. Public Health Department, School of Medicine, Grenoble University, 38700 La Tronche, France. Public Health Department, School of Medicine, Grenoble University, 38700 La Tronche, France. Hygiene Lab. of the City of Paris, 11 Rue Georges Eastman, 75013 Paris, France. Department of Paediatrics, Paris Univ. Hospital of Troussea, 26 Rue Arnold Netter, 75012, Paris, France. Department of Paediatrics, Grenoble Univ. Hospital, Hopital Nichalton, Service de pediatrie, Domaine de la Nerci, 38706 La Tronche, France. INSERM U408, Faculte de Nedecire, Xavier Bichat, BP416-75870, Cedex 18 Paris, France. Hygiene and Public Heath Lab., Univ. of Pharmacy, 4 au de l'Observatoire, 75006, Paris, France. Department of Paediatrics, Toulouse Univ. Hospital, Place du Dr Baylac, 31000, Toulouse, France, INRETS, Lyon-Villeurbanne, 25 au Francois Mitterand, 69675 Bron, France

Abstract: Within the multicentre VESTA case-control study on childhood asthma and traffic air pollution, we studied the association between the respiratory function and NO₂ personal exposures or intensity of traffic close to homes and schools. The relative contribution of different indoor and outdoor emission sources on personal NO₂ exposures was also assessed. The respiratory function (forced expiratory volume in one second - FEV1 - and peak expiratory flow rate - PEFR) was measured with a One-Flow tester R. NO₂ personal exposure was measured using passive Ogawa samplers that were worn during 48 hours by study participants, aged four to 14 years old. Exposure to traffic exhausts was assessed through an index based on a time-weighted average of traffic density to road distance ratios. The most influential variables that predicted NO₂ personal exposures were the traffic index, use of a gas cooker at home and background ambient air pollution, with variable associations across cities (model R2 rank from 0.33 to 0.67). No association was found between the respiratory function and the levels of NO₂ personal exposure; FEV1 or PEFR values, however, were associated with the traffic index, in two out of four cities. These results suggest that cumulative exposure to traffic exhausts may alter the respiratory function of children.

Keywords: respiratory function; NO₂; traffic exhausts; children.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2001.001969

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2001 Vol.27 No.1/2/3/4, pp.251-261

Published online: 15 Aug 2003 *

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