Traffic-Related air pollution in triggering asthma attacks in children with pre-existing asthma

Mohanraj Krishnan  Selvaraj; Sivasankari  Sivalingam; Arun Negemiya  Arulsamy; Vijayakumar  Palanivel; Sangupandy  Duraippandi

doi:10.18502/japh.v10i2.19081

Mohanraj Krishnan Selvaraj Department of Mechanical Engineering, Erode Sengunthar Engineering College, Erode, India
Sivasankari Sivalingam Department of Information Technology, Erode Sengunthar Engineering College, Erode, India
Arun Negemiya Arulsamy Department of Aerospace Engineering, SNS College of Technology, Coimbatore, India
Vijayakumar Palanivel Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Nehru Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, India
Sangupandy Duraippandi Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sudharsan Engineering College, Pudukkottai, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v10i2.19081

Keywords: Traffic-Related air pollution; Asthma; Children; Exacerbations

Abstract

Introduction: Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) is currently among the priority environmental issues because of the strong correlation it shares with the occurrence of unwanted respiratory effects, particularly in children. Air pollution exposure to pollutants such as Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and Particulate Matters (PM₂.₅) has been linked to heightened asthmatic attacks. The purpose of this research was to explore the short-term relationship between the exposure to TRAP and the development of asthma attacks in children, and the necessity for specifically targeted interventions.

Materials and methods: Panel study was done among 150 asthmatic children aged 6-12 years residing in high-traffic urban environments. Levels of TRAP exposure were estimated on a day-to-day basis by implementing a land-use regression model that included traffic density, proximity to major roads, and meteorological conditions. Asthma attacks were documented based on symptoms (wheezing, cough, breathlessness) and relief medication, as per the parents' reporting. Fixed effects Poisson regression was used to estimate pollutant exposure and asthma attack relationships.

Results: Higher exposure to TRAP was strongly linked to asthma attacks. Higher exposure to NO₂ and PM₂.₅ by 10 μg/m³ was linked with 5% and 3% higher asthma attacks, respectively. The results demonstrate the increased respiratory hazards due to short-term pollution exposure among children.

Conclusion: This research highlights the adverse effect of TRAP on childhood asthma and demands active interventions such as tighter emission controls, urban planning reform, and public education campaigns. Additional studies in mechanisms at the biological level and rigorous policy implementation are needed in an attempt to protect children's respiratory health.