The association between air pollution and childhood asthma: United States, 2010–2015

Details

• Alternative Title:
  J Asthma
• Personal Author:
  Connor, Eric M. ; Zablotsky, Benjamin
• Description:
  Objective:
  
  The current population-based study examines the association between county-level ambient air pollution and childhood asthma.
  
  Methods:
  
  Data from the nationally representative 2010–2015 National Health Interview Survey were linked to nationwide fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution data at the county-level from the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network which utilizes air quality monitoring stations and modeled PM2.5 measurements (Downscaler model data) and adjusted by county-level socioeconomic characteristics data from the 2010–2015 American Community Survey. Multilevel modeling techniques were used to assess the association between PM2.5 annual concentrations (quartiles < 8.11, 8.11–9.50, 9.51–10.59, ≥ 10.60 μg/m3) and current childhood asthma along with two asthma outcomes (episode in the past year, emergency room (ER) visit due to asthma).
  
  Results:
  
  From 2010–2015, there were significant declines in PM2.5 concentrations and asthma outcomes. In unadjusted models, children living in areas with higher PM2.5 concentrations were more likely to have current asthma, ≥1 asthma episode in the past year, and ≥1 ER visit due to asthma compared with children living in areas with the lowest quartile (< 8.11 μg/m3). After adjusting for characteristics at the county, geographic, and child and family-level, significant associations remained for asthma episode, and ER visit among children living in areas with PM2.5 annual concentrations between 9.51–10.59 μg/m3 (3rd quartile) compared with children living in areas with the lowest quartile.
  
  Conclusions:
  
  This study adds to the limited literature by incorporating nationally representative county-, child-, and family-level data to provide a multi-level analysis of the associations between air pollution and childhood asthma in the U.S.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants Air Pollution Asthma Child Humans Particulate Matter Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Children Downscaler Modeled Data Outdoor Exposure Particulate Matter
• Source:
  J Asthma. 59(10):2069-2080
• Pubmed ID:
  34587862
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC9148369
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States/
• Name as Subject:
  National Health Interview Survey (U.S.)
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• Volume:
  59
• Issue:
  10
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:bd4db555593710f083b1edfa80cc219113a796c8a8df24e97cfecd4ce2ca0a0e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/119202/cdc_119202_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 732.53 KB ]