PREDICTIVE PULMONARY-FUNCTION OF SCHOOL-CHILDREN IN AN AREA OF LOW AIR-POLLUTION IN TAIWAN

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different p arameters on a predictive model of pulmonary function for elementary s chool children in an area of low air pollution in Taiwan. Healthy chil dren aged 7 to 12 years from three elementary schools in low-air-pollu tion areas (Da-Chen, Mai-Liau and Tai-Si) participated in the study. A total of 836 children (423 boys and 413 girls) were included in the s tudy. During summer vacation, each child underwent a physical examinat ion including a screening spirometry. A questionnaire regarding respir atory symptoms and indoor air pollutants was also completed by the chi ldren's parents. Air monitoring showed that the levels of outdoor poll utants were relatively low. Multiple linear regression analysis was pe rformed with FVC (forced vital capacity) and FEV1 (forced expiratory v olume in 1 sec) as dependent variables. Gender, age, height, weight, t echnician and indoor air pollution parameters were the independent var iables. The results showed that gender, height, weight and technician were the most significant variables for predicting FVC and FEV1. The v arious indoor air pollution parameters seemed to have no influence on the pulmonary function of children, except that mildew in bedrooms mil dly decreased FEV1. Regression analysis showed that all the pulmonary function parameters measured had a positive correlation with height, w hereas weight correlated only with certain parameters. Because both in door and outdoor air pollution was relatively low, we suggest that thi s model could be used as a basic predictive model of pulmonary functio n for elementary school children in Taiwan.