The association between ambient NO2 and PM2.5 with the respiratory health of school children residing in informal settlements: A prospective cohort study

Background: No previous epidemiological study has investigated the combined association of long-term ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter of diameter size-2.5 (PM2.5) exposure with asthma outcomes among schoolchildren in Africa.

Objectives: This study investigated the independent and co-pollutant association of long-term exposures to ambient air pollutants on asthma-associated outcomes in a cohort of schoolchildren in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

Methods: A total of 590 grade-4 schoolchildren residing in four informal settlements were studied. Spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric-oxide (FeNO) measurements were conducted, including a standardized questionnaire administered to caregivers at baseline and 12-months follow-up. Annual NO2 and PM2.5 levels were estimated for each child's home using land-use regression modelling. Single- and two-pollutant models were constructed to assess the independent and co-pollutant association of both air pollutants (NO2 and PM2.5) on new cases of asthma-associated outcomes adjusting-for host characteristics, indoor exposures and study area.

Results: The annual average concentration of PM2.5 and NO2 were 10.01μg/m3 and 16.62μg/m3 respectively, across the four study areas, and were below the local Standards of 20μg/m3 and 40μg/m3, for both pollutants, respectively. In the two-pollutant-adjusted models, an interquartile range (IQR) increase of 14.2μg/m3 in NO2 was associated with an increased risk of new onset of ocular-nasal symptoms (adjusted odds ratio-aOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.01-2.60), wheezing (aOR: 3.57, 95% CI: 1.18-10.92), more than two or more asthma symptom score (aOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02-2.86), and airway inflammation defined as FeNO > 35 ppb (aOR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.10-8.71), independent of PM2.5 exposures.

Conclusion: This study provided evidence that ambient NO2 levels below local standards and international guidelines, independent of PM2.5 exposure, increases new cases of asthma-associated outcomes after 12-months.