Dose-dependent relationship between prenatal exposure to fine particulates and exhaled carbon monoxide in non-asthmatic children : a population-based birth cohort study

Objectives: The main goal of the study was to assess possible association between fetal exposure to fi ne particulate matter (PM2.5) and exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) measured in non-asthmatic children. Material and Methods: The subjects include 118 children taking part in an ongoing population-based birth cohort study in Kraków. Personal samplers of PM2.5 were used to measure fi ne particle mass in the fetal period and carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaled breath from a single exhalation effort at the age of 7. In the statistical analysis of the effect of prenatal PM2.5 exposure on eCO, a set of potential confounders, such as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), city residence area, sensitization to house dust allergens and the occurrence of respiratory symptoms monitored over the seven-year follow-up was considered. Results: The level of eCO did not correlate with the self-reported ETS exposure recorded over the follow-up, however, there was a positive signifi cant relationship with the prenatal PM2.5 exposure (non-parametric trend p = 0.042). The eCO mean level was higher in atopic children (geometric mean = 2.06 ppm, 95% CI: 1.58–2.66 ppm) than in non-atopic ones (geometric mean = 1.57 ppm, 95% CI: 1.47–1.73 ppm) and the difference was statistically signifi cant (p = 0.036). As for the respiratory symptoms, eCO values were associated positively only with the cough severity score recorded in the follow-up (nonparametric trend p = 0.057). In the nested multivariable linear regression model, only the effects of prenatal PM2.5 and cough severity recorded in the follow-up were related to eCO level. The prenatal PM2.5 exposure represented 5.1%, while children’s cough represented only 2.6% of the eCO variability. Conclusion: Our study suggests that elevated eCO in non-asthmatic children may result from oxidative stress experienced in the fetal period and that heme oxygenase (HO) activity in body tissues may be programmed in the fetal period by the exposure to fi ne particulate matter

Effectivity of anti-smoking educational interventions aimed at school-aged children and adolescents

W latach 2002-2004 na terenie miasta Krakowa w szkole podstawowej i gimnazjum były wdrażane programy antynikotynowe. Celem programów były działania prewencyjne związane z paleniem papierosów. Oceny realizowanych programów dokonano w oparciu o kwestionariusze ankiet, sprawdziany z wiedzy i wyniki obserwacji uczestniczącej. Realizację programu badani uczniowie ocenili w większości pozytywnie. Stwierdzono też statystycznie istotny przyrost wiedzy uczniów biorących udział we wdrożeniu. Jednakże w niewielkim stopniu wpłynął on na zmianę niepożądanych postaw związanych z tym nałogiem. Słowa kluczowe: młodzież, nikotynizm, uzależnienie, edukacja, asertywność Summary Between 2002-2004, anti-nicotine programs were instituted in Krakow elementary and junior high schools with the goal of preventing cigarette smoking in these age groups. These programs were evaluated using a structured questionnaire, a knowledge-based test, and the observations of the program leaders. The participants generally rated the program as positive. Findings also showed a statistically significant increase in the knowledge of the participants. However, there was only a minimal effect in terms of preventing pro-smoking behaviors.Between 2002-2004, anti-nicotine programs were instituted in Krakow elementary and junior high schools with the goal of preventing cigarette smoking in these age groups. These programs were evaluated using a structured questionnaire, a knowledge-based test, and the observations of the program leaders. The participants generally rated the program as positive. Findings also showed a statistically significant increase in the knowledge of the participants. However, there was only a minimal effect in terms of preventing pro-smoking behaviors

Long term effects of prenatal and postnatal airborne PAH exposures on ventilatory lung function of non-asthmatic preadolescent children. Prospective birth cohort study in Krakow

The main goal of the study was to test the hypothesis that prenatal and postnatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is associated with depressed lung function in non-asthmatic children. The study sample comprises 195 non-asthmatic children of non-smoking mothers, among whom the prenatal PAH exposure was assessed by personal air monitoring in pregnancy. At the age of 3, residential air monitoring was carried out to evaluate the residential PAH exposure indoors and outdoors. At the age of 5 to 8, children were given allergic skin tests for indoor allergens; and between 5–9 years lung function testing (FVC, FEV(05), FEV(1) and FEF(25–75)) was performed. The effects of prenatal PAH exposure on lung function tests repeated over the follow-up were adjusted in the General Estimated Equation (GEE) model for the relevant covariates. No association between FVC with prenatal PAH exposure was found; however for the FEV(1) deficit associated with higher prenatal PAH exposure (above 37ng/m(3)) amounted to 53 mL (p = 0.050) and the deficit of FEF(25–75) reached 164 mL (p=0.013). The corresponding deficits related to postnatal residential indoor PAH level (above 42 ng/m(3)) were 59 mL of FEV(1) (p=0.028) and 140 mL of FEF(25–75) (p=0.031). At the higher residential outdoor PAH level (above 90 ng/m(3)) slightly greater deficit of FEV(1) (71mL, p = 0.009) was observed. The results of the study suggest that transplacental exposure to PAH compromises the normal developmental process of respiratory airways and that this effect is compounded by postnatal PAH exposure