01697804

Component

Epidemiologic studies have established linkages between adverse health effects and traffic air pollution. People with asthma are more likely adversely affected by traffic emissions, particularly young children. Studies showed regular exercise reduces asthma exacerbation and improves lung function. However, few studies have looked at the physical activity and air quality relationship. An air pollution and physical activity study was conducted to develop healthy living guidelines for children attending a school near a freeway. Twelve children (ages 6-12 years) participated in a repeated measures study at a school in El Paso, TX. Air pollutants (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, and O₃) were continuously measured at the school and we measured rates of physical activity by accelerometry weekly for 10 weeks. In addition, we collected baseline data on medical status and weekly data using the Asthma Control Questionnaire. Generalized estimating equations approaches showed that school pollutant concentrations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, and NO₂ were negatively associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (PM concentrations: p<0.001; NO₂: p=0.036), whereas they were positively associated with sedentary activity (PM concentrations: p<0.001; NO₂: p=0.019). 72-hr maximum ozone data were associated with decreased rate in MVPA (p=0.001). Higher levels of traffic pollution correlate with lower levels of physical activity in children with asthma. Short-term guidelines in response to these results include pollutant mitigation measures (e.g. placement of natural barriers) followed by reassessment of the air quality and physical activity of the children. Long-term guidelines include recommendations to build future schools at locations farther from high-traffic.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADD50 Standing Committee on Environmental Justice in Transportation.

19-01943

English

0000-0002-6451-0662

0000-0003-3679-3615

0000-0002-5376-8967

9p

2019

Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Maps; References; Tables

Air pollution; Freeways; Public health; School children; Schools

Asthma; Exercise

Environment; Highways

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2019 Paper #19-01943

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 7 2018 9:37AM