Effect of Air Pollutants and Environmental Noise on the Childhood Asthma Prevalence in Tehran, Iran

Maryam  Faraji; Mehdi  Najmi; Anoshirvan  Kazemnejad; Raheleh Shokouhi Shoormasti; Mohammad Reza  Fazlollahi; Zahra  Pourpak; Mostafa  Moin

doi:10.18502/ijaai.v23i5.16745

Maryam Faraji Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mehdi Najmi Center of Non-Communicable Diseases Management, Deputy for Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
Anoshirvan Kazemnejad Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Raheleh Shokouhi Shoormasti Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Reza Fazlollahi Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Pourpak Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mostafa Moin Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v23i5.16745

Keywords: Air pollution; Asthma; Environmental noise; Pediatrics

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of air pollutants and noise on the prevalence of childhood asthma in Tehran, Iran.

The standardized questionnaire was completed by one of the parents of children aged 6–7 years or by adolescents aged 13–14 years.

The asthma prevalence in ages 6-7 and 13–14 was found to be 8.8% and 17.44%, respectively. A significant positive association was observed between “ever wheezing” and monoxide carbon (CO) concentration (OR=1.84, 1.05-3.25 in 13–14 years), the occurrence of 4 to 12 wheezing attacks and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) concentration (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.39, 1.04-1.91) and particulate matter less than 2.5 micron (PM_2.5) concentration (OR=1.38, 1.05-1.98 and OR=1.13, 0.98-1.39 in 6-7 and 13–14 years, respectively), as well as one night per week of sleep disturbances and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentration (OR=1.09, 1.03-1.16 in 6–7 years, respectively). It was also found that there was a significant interaction between the noise level and particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM₁₀) level.

Based on the findings, exposure to certain outdoor air pollutants and noise can affect the prevalence of asthma symptoms in residents of Tehran. The simultaneous presence of air pollutants and noise has an aggravating effect on the prevalence of asthma symptoms. Therefore, controlling sources of pollutants for reducing asthma symptoms is suggested.