Residences Near Roads and Childhood Asthma

Residential Proximity to a Major Roadway Is Associated with Features of Asthma Control in Children (9 page pdf, Meredith S. Brown, Stefanie Ebelt Sarnat, Karen A. DeMuth1, Lou Ann S. Brown, Denise R. Whitlock1, Shanae W. Brown, Paige E. Tolbert, Anne M. Fitzpatrick, PLoS ONE, May 17,2012)

Today’s review focuses on research into the relationship between proximity of residences to major roads in Atlanta Georgia, USA ( a city known for high rates of asthma as well as for traffic related-pollution) and the occurrence of asthma in children. Results indicate significant impacts as measured by wheeziness and hospital ization when the residences are within 417m as well as gastroesophageal reflux.  

Key Quotes:

 “few studies have examined relationships between residential proximity to a major roadway and asthma control in children.“

 “The distance between each subject’s home and the closest major roadway ranged from 0.23 to 9633 meters”

“Children residing within 417 meters of a major roadway had increased odds of wheezing more than two days per week compared to children residing further than 417 meters”

 “children living less than 417 meters from a major roadway had increased odds of hospitalization for asthma within the preceding 12 months, as well as increased odds of intensive care unit admissions”

“Atlanta, Georgia, has a disproportionate prevalence of asthma and affected children have an increased burden of respiratory symptoms as compared to other geographic areas... Atlanta is also plagued by some of the highest numbers of smog alert days in the United States, as well as heavy amounts of traffic”

 “An interesting but unexpected finding in the present study was the association between residential proximity to a major roadway and physician-diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux”

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