Journal of Pollution Effects & Control
Open Access
ISSN: 2375-4397
ISSN: 2375-4397
Jill JF Belch*, Bianca Cox, James Chalmers and Catherine A Fitton
Childhood is a time of increased susceptibility to air pollution because the immature body is developing rapidly with dividing cells which are vulnerable to toxins. Children spend frequent time out of doors and therefore have higher risk of exposure to poor air quality. Further, a correlation between areas of high deprivation and poor air quality exists for both adults and children, worsening pre-existing health inequalities.
This Tayside Pollution Research Programme (TPRP) study investigated the effects of poor air quality on hospital admissions with a Gastrointestinal (GI) complaint, in children <16 y of age in Dundee city, Scotland (with a population of 148,270), over a period of 18 years.
Childhood hospital admissions were evaluated by record linkage at Perth royal infirmary, Perth and Ninewells hospital, Dundee, UK and including a pre-determined sub-group analyses for GI disorders. The data analysed were between 1st of January 2000, to 31st December 2017.
25.1% in Dundee and 28.2% in Perth were because of GI disorders and 26.5% of Dundee admissions and 25.9% of Perth admissions were respiratory in nature. At the time of high pollution admissions increased by 35.8% on days of high particulate matter <10 μm and 81.2% for days when the total nitrogen gas levels were high (NOx).
Our results show an increase in child hospital admissions on days of higher pollution. Whilst some of this can be explained by respiratory admissions over a quarter of admissions were due to GI disorders. This documents further novel effects of poor air quality on our children.
Published Date: 2025-06-30; Received Date: 2024-09-12