Issue: Vojnosanit Pregl 2016; Vol. 73 (No. 4)
Respiratory diseases in preschool children in the city of Niš exposed to suspended particulates and carbon monoxide from ambient air
Authors:
Amelija Djordjević*, Goran Ristić, Nenad Živković, Branimir Todorović, Sladjan Hristov, Lidija Milošević
Background/Aim. Analysis of air quality in Serbia indicatesthat the city of Niš belongs to a group of cities characterized by
the third category of air quality (excessive air pollution). The aim
of the study was to analyze the degree of causality between ambient
air quality affected by particulate matter of 10 μm (PM10)
and carbon monoxide (CO) and the incidence of respiratory diseases
in preschool children in the city of Niš. Methods. We
quantified the influence of higher PM10 concentrations and carbon
monoxide comprising motor vehicle exhausts in the city of
Niš on the occurrence of unwanted health effects in preschool
children by means of the hazard quotient (HQ), individual health
risk (Ri), and the probability of cancer (ICR). The methodology
used was according to the US Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), and it included basic scientific statistical methods, compilation
methods, and the relevant mathematical methods for assessing
air pollution health risk, based on the use of attribute
equations. Results. Measurement of ambient air pollutant concentrations
in the analyzed territory for the entire monitoring duration
revealed that PM10 concentrations were significantly above
the allowed limits during 80% of the days. The maximum measured
PM10 concentration was 191.6 μg/m3, and carbon monoxide
5.415 mg/m3. The incidence of respiratory diseases in the
experimental group, with a prominent impact of polluted air was
57.17%, whereas the incidence in the control group was considerably
lower, 41.10 %. There were also significant differences in
the distribution of certain respiratory diseases. Conclusion. In
order to perform good causal analysis of air quality and health
risk, it is very important to establish and develop a system for
long-term monitoring, control, assessment, and prediction of air
pollution. We identified the suspended PM10 and CO as ambient
air pollutants causing negative health effects in the exposed preschool
children population.
