CHRONIC RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS LIVING ALONG STREETS WITH HIGH TRAFFIC DENSITY

Objectives-To investigate if the population living along streets with high traffic density has a higher prevalence of chronic respiratory sy mptoms. Methods-A sample of 673 adults and 106 children (0-15 years), living along busy traffic streets in the city of Haarlem was compared with a control sample of 812 adults and 185 children living along quie t streets. Exposed and control streets were selected on the basis of m odel calculations of NO2 concentrations. A postal questionnaire contai ning questions about respiratory symptoms and several potential confou nders was used to collect information from the study subjects. Results -After adjustment for potential confounders, children living along bus y streets were found to have a higher prevalence of most respiratory s ymptoms than children Living along quiet streets. Adjusted odds ratios were significant for wheeze and for respiratory medication used. Risk ratios were higher for girls than for boys, with significant adjusted odds ratios between 2.9 and 15.8 for girls. In adults, only mild dysp noea was more often reported by subjects Living along streets with hig h traffic density. Conclusions-The results suggest that living along b usy streets increases the risk of developing chronic respiratory sympt oms in children.