Early air pollution exposure may heighten childhood asthma risk

Key takeaways:

• Researchers found a link between childhood asthma risk and early PM_2.5 and nitrogen dioxide pollution exposure.
• Race and maternal education changed the strength of this link.

Main findings

• The total cohort included high percentages of white children (48.4%) and Black children (31.4%), with fewer Hispanic children (15.8%) and children not labeled as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black or non-Hispanic white (4.3%).
• In children aged younger than 5 years, the risk for asthma rose as the interquartile range of nitrogen dioxide (6.1 g/m³) pollution increased within the first 3 years of life (HR = 1.25 per 1 interquartile range increase; 95% CI, 1.03-1.52).
• Researchers observed a similar elevated risk for asthma in children aged younger than 12 years exposed to levels of nitrogen dioxide above the mean value during the first 3 years of life (HR = 1.22 per 1 interquartile range increase; 95% CI, 1.04-1.44).
• In terms of PM_2.5, the risk for asthma was heightened with exposure to this pollutant above the interquartile range (3.4 g/m³) early on in life in both children aged younger than 5 years (HR = 1.31 per 1 interquartile range increase; 95% CI, 1.04-1.66) and children aged younger than 12 years (HR = 1.23 per 1 interquartile range increase; 95% CI, 1.01-1.507).

Individual, community characteristics

• After dividing the total cohort according to individual-level characteristics, researchers found that the risk for asthma in children through age 4 years linked to early PM_2.5 exposure was greater in Black children (HR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.15-2.22) vs. white children (HR = 1.17; 95% CI, 0.9-1.52), and the same outcome was true in children through age 11 years (Black children, HR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.06-1.89 vs. white children, HR = 1.15; 95% CI, 0.93-1.43).
• Black children through age 11 years also faced a greater risk for asthma with early nitrogen dioxide exposure compared with white children of this age (HR = 1.3; 95% CI, 1.03-1.63 vs. HR = 1.13; 95% CI, 0.9-1.41).
• Another individual-level characteristic that changed the strength of the link between childhood asthma risk and pollutant exposure was maternal education. Children born to mothers with no high school education had a higher risk for asthma with exposure to PM_2.5 in the first 3 years of life than children born to mothers with a college and graduate school education through age 4 years (HR = 1.46; 95% CI, 0.96-2.2 vs. HR = 1.24; 95% CI
• Researchers noted that the same was true for early-life nitrogen dioxide exposure, with a greater risk for asthma observed in children born to mothers with no high school education vs. a college and graduate school education.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

A high risk for asthma in children was linked to increased levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide exposure in the first 3 years of life, according to results published in JAMA Network Open. This finding is significant in the context of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

“Where you live, the urban environment and the resources in your community influence a child’s risk of asthma,” Antonella Zanobetti, PhD, principal research scientist of environmental health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told Healio. This highlights the importance of SDG 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

After dividing the total cohort according to individual-level characteristics, researchers found that the risk for asthma in children through age 4 years linked to early PM_2.5 exposure was greater in Black children vs. white children. This emphasizes the need to address inequalities in health outcomes, as outlined in SDG 10.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Another individual-level characteristic that changed the strength of the link between childhood asthma risk and pollutant exposure was maternal education. Children born to mothers with no high school education had a higher risk for asthma with exposure to PM_2.5 in the first 3 years of life than children born to mothers with a college and graduate school education. This highlights the importance of SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Indicator for SDG 11.6: Air quality index or levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide in urban areas.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: healio.com

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