Adverse effects of low-level air pollution on the respiratory health of schoolchildren in Hong Kong

To evaluate the respiratory effects of long-term exposure to air pollution, schoolchildren (ages 8 to 12 years) from two districts in Hong Kong with c ontrasting air quality were studied. Parents of 1660 children completed que stionnaires on respiratory symptoms, and 1294 children had their ventilator y function tested with a spirometer. After adjustment for relevant covariat es, children living in the more polluted district had increased odds ratios for frequent cough (1.74), frequent sputum (1.87), chronic sputum (1.84), and doctor-diagnosed asthma (1.98). Children of both sexes in the more poll uted district had significantly poorer lung function, and differences among girls were more marked. The study provides additional evidence for the adv erse effects of long-term exposure to relatively low-level air pollution.