Relationship between the composition of fine dust particles in the air and lung function in school children
van Schayck, C.P.; Hogervorst, J.G.F.; de Kok, T.M.C.M.; Briedé, J.J.; Wesseling, G.; Kleinjans, J.C.S.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 150(13): 735-740
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 16623348 Document Number: 597404
This study aims to determine whether or not there is a relationship between the lung function of school children and the ability of fine dust particles in the air to generate radicals. Six primary schools in locations with different traffic volumes were selected in Maastricht, Netherlands. Air samples were taken in these schools over a period of 4 days; the concentration of fine dust was measured in the 6 pooled samples. Lung function tests were performed in children aged 8-13 years and their parents filled out a questionnaire on the state of their children's health. Overall, 184 girls and 158 boys, with a mean age of 10 years, were included. The average FEV for the children from the 6 schools was not related to the total amount of fine dust particles in the air. However, a lower average FEV was associated with a higher radical-generating capacity in the air samples. No direct association was observed between the radical-generating capacity of the dust and traffic intensity. In conclusion, there was a clear relationship between lung function and radical-generating capacity of fine dust in the air. Thus, future guidelines should take into account the chemical properties of fine dust particles in the air and not only the quantity of fine dust.