Respiratory Symptoms in Relation to Residential Coal Burning and Environmental Tobacco Smoke Among Early Adolescents in Wuhan, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

C. Anderson Johnson, Claremont Graduate UniversityFollow
Jiang Xia, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Päivi M. Salo, National Institutes of Health
Yan Li, Wuhan Health Bureau
Grace E. Kissling, National Institutes of Health
Edward L. Avol, University of Southern California
Chunhong Liu, Wuhan Public Health
Stephanie J. London, National Institutes of Health

Document Type

Article

Department

Community and Global Health (CGU)

Publication Date

12-2004

Disciplines

Circulatory and Respiratory Physiology | Environmental Health | Environmental Studies

Abstract

Background

Cigarette smoking and coal burning are the primary sources of indoor air pollution in Chinese households. However, effects of these exposures on Chinese children's respiratory health are not well characterized.

Methods

Seventh grade students (N = 5051) from 22 randomly selected schools in the greater metropolitan area of Wuhan, China, completed an in-class self-administered questionnaire on their respiratory health and home environment.

Results

Coal burning for cooking and/or heating increased odds of wheezing with colds [odds ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–2.29] and without colds (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.05–1.97). For smoking in the home, the strongest associations were seen for cough (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.17–2.60) and phlegm production (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.36–3.72) without colds among children who lived with two or more smokers.

Conclusions

Chinese children living with smokers or in coal-burning homes are at increased risk for respiratory impairment. While economic development in China may decrease coal burning by providing cleaner fuels for household energy use, the increasing prevalence of cigarette smoking is a growing public health concern due to its effects on children. Adverse effects of tobacco smoke exposure were seen despite the low rates of maternal smoking (3.6%) in this population.

Rights Information

© 2004 C. Anderson Johnson; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. Posted with permission.

DOI

10.1186/1476-069X-3-14

Recommended Citation

Salo, P.M., Xia, J., Johnson, C.A., Li, Y., Kissling, G.E., Avol, E.L., Liu, C., & London, S.J.Respiratory symptoms in relation to residential coal burning and environmental tobacco smoke among early adolescents in Wuhan, China: A cross-sectional study. Environ Health, 3(1), 14, 2004.