RESPIRATORY-DISEASE RATES AND PULMONARY-FUNCTION IN CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH NO2 EXPOSURE

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Abstract
As part of a long-range, prospective study of the health effects of air pollution, approximately 8000 children from 6-10 yr of age from 6 communities had questionnaires completed by their parents, and had simple spirometry performed in school. Comparisons were made between children living in homes with gas stoves and those living in homes with electric stoves. Children from households with gas stoves had a greater history of respiratory illness before age 2 (average difference, 32.5/1000 children) and small but significantly lower levels of FEV1 [forced expiratory volume in 1 s] and FVC [forced vital capacity] corrected for height (average difference, 16 ml and 18 ml, respectively). These findings were not explained by differences in social class or by parental smoking habits. Measurements taken in the homes for 24 h periods showed that NO2 levels were 4-7 times higher in homes with gas stoves than in homes with electric stoves. These 24 h measurements were generally well below the current federal 24 h outdoor standard of 100 .mu.g/m3. Short-term peak exposures, which were in excess of 1100 .mu.g/m3, regularly occurred in kitchens. The importance of these short-term peaks in explaining the effects noted is not known.