Childhood Exposure To Air Pollution And Respiratory Disease Progression In Urban Environments

Abstract

Background: Childhood exposure to air pollution has become a significant public health problem in rapidly urbanizing regions. Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) during critical growth stages may have negative effects on respiratory health and increase susceptibility to chronic respiratory diseases. Objective: The study aimed to explore the link between exposure to urban air pollution and the progression of respiratory diseases in children, and to evaluate the efficiency of an integrated environmental health monitoring framework to identify high-risk populations. Methodology: Data were collected from a longitudinal observational study of 4,500 children aged 5–15 years in 10 urban sites over a 36-month period. Environmental exposure data were combined with clinical assessments, pulmonary function tests, demographic information and hospital records. Children were classified into low, moderate and high exposure groups according to concentrations of air pollutants. Findings: The results showed that 1,420 children had been exposed to high pollution levels (PM2.5 > 40 µg/m³), and significantly higher respiratory disease progression was observed in this subgroup. In 1,523 cases the progression of the disease was moderate, while in 872 cases it was severe. Children living in high-exposure areas had more asthma attacks, lower lung function and higher rates of hospitalization than children in low-exposure groups. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to urban air pollution substantially acceleratethe course of respiratory diseases in children. These findings highlight the need for improved air quality control, ongoing environmental monitoring, and targeted public health strategies to lessen the burden of respiratory disease and improve child health.