Air Pollution Influence on Symptoms and Respiratory System Diseases in Pupils in Weifang City

Objective To understand the health effect of air pollution on respiratory system of children, reasonably guide pupils to take exercise and protect the physical health of primary school students in Weifang, and to provide the basis for control and prevention the harmful effects from atmospheric pollution to health.

Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 3 800 children in the age of 8~12 years from six primary schools drawn by cluster sampling (three in downtown and three in suburban area) in January 2015. The monitoring data of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO₂, CO and O₃ in the city area and outskirts were collected.The influence of air pollution on respiratory system diseases was analyzed by using the analysis of variance, chi square test and logistic regression analysis.

Results The concentration of PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and O₃ in outskirts were higher than those in the city area, but the concentration of SO₂, NO₂ and CO in outskirts were lower than those in the city area (P < 0.05).The prevalence rates of common cold, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and nasitis of children in outskirts in January were higher than those in the city area (χ²=24.839, 4.094, 13.097 and 5.640, respectively. P < 0.05).The prevalence of symptoms was cough (10.41%), rhinorrhea (5.29%), pharyngalgia (4.07%) and expectoration (3.24%).The logistic regression analysis revealed that the location of school was the main hazard for common cold, amygdalitis and nasitis (OR=2.829, 3.609 and 4.062, respectively, P < 0.05).

Conclusions The largest affects of air pollution on respiratory diseases and symptoms in the suburb of Weifang were PM₁₀ and O₃.More attention should be paid by school teachers and parents to create a good environment for primary school students and guide them keeping good protective habits and outdoor physical activities.