Raised exhaled nitric oxide in healthy children is associated with domestic formaldehyde levels

Citation
P. Franklin et al., Raised exhaled nitric oxide in healthy children is associated with domestic formaldehyde levels, AM J R CRIT, 161(5), 2000, pp. 1757-1759
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","da verificare
Journal title
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
ISSN journal
1073449X → ACNP
Volume
161
Issue
5
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1757 - 1759
Database
ISI
SICI code
1073-449X(200005)161:5<1757:RENOIH>2.0.ZU;2-T
Abstract
Exposure to domestic levels of formaldehyde has been associated with advers e respiratory symptoms in both adults and children. The underlying mechanis ms responsible for these findings have not been established. In order to in vestigate possible inflammatory effects of formaldehyde at levels typically found in the home, we measured exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) in 224 healthy c hildren 6 to 13 yr of age (116 girls) and monitored formaldehyde levels in their homes. Formaldehyde was monitored using a passive sampling technique. Exhaled NO was measured directly into a fast response chemiluminescence ni tric oxide analyzer. The children also undertook a lung function (spirometr y) test. There was no effect of formaldehyde levels measured in homes on sp irometric variables. However, eNO levels were significantly elevated in chi ldren living in homes with average formaldehyde revels greater than or equa l to 50 ppb. Exhaled NO levels (geometric mean) were 15.5 ppb (95% CI: 10.5 to 22.9 ppb) for children from homes with formaldehyde concentrations grea ter than or equal to 50 ppb compared with 8.7 ppb (7.9 to 9.6) for children from homes with formaldehyde concentrations < 50 pph (p < 0.05). These res ults suggest that exposure to formaldehyde in homes may invoke a subclinica l inflammatory response in the airways of healthy children.