RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS OF PRIMARY-SCHOOL CHILDREN LIVING IN A PETROCHEMICAL POLLUTED AREA IN TAIWAN

In 1994-1995 a cross-sectional epidemiological study investigating the respiratory health of school children in two Taiwan areas was conduct ed; one area was located in a region with petrochemical manufacturing complexes (Linyuan), and the other was situated in a reference area wi th no local industrial emissions (Taihsi). All primary school children residing in the two areas were involved in the study. Four hundred se venty children were studied in the area with high exposure to industri al emissions, and 611 children lived in the reference area. Respirator y health was assessed by evaluation of the children's respiratory symp toms and illnesses, using a parent-completed questionnaire. Particulat es, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and acid aerosols le vels were significantly higher in the exposed area than in the referen ce area. The school children in the petrochemical area had significant ly more upper respiratory symptoms and asthma compared with the childr en living in the control area. Although the association with known pet rochemical air pollution is suggestive, this cross-sectional study can not confirm a causal relation and further studies are needed. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.