Short-term effects of ambient particulate matter on blood pressure among children and adolescents:A cross-sectional study in a city of Yangtze River delta, China

Several studies have demonstrated associations between short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) and blood pressure (BP) among various adults groups, but evidence in children and adolescents is still rare. In 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 194 104 participants aged 6–17 years in Suzhou, China. Daily concentrations of particulate matters with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤10 μg/m3 (PM10) and aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μg/m3 (PM2.5) on 0–6 days preceding BP examination were collected from nearby air monitoring stations. Using generalized linear mixed-effects models, short-term effects of PM on personal BP were estimated. A 10 μg/m3 increment in the 0–6 day mean of PM2.5 was significantly associated with elevation of 0.20 mmHg [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.16–0.23] in systolic BP (SBP), 0.49 mmHg (95% CI 0.45–0.53) in diastolic BP (DBP), respectively. Similarly, 0.14 mmHg (95% CI 0.12–0.16) higher SBP and 0.32 mmHg (95% CI 0.30–0.34) higher DBP were found for each 10 μg/m3 increase in 0–6 day mean of PM10. More apparent associations were observed in females than in males. Odds ratio (95%CI) of for PM2.5 exposure at 0–6 d mean was 1.06 (1.03–1.08) in females, while it was 1.01 (0.99–1.03) in males. Participants with young ages, underweight and obesity were also associated with increased susceptibility to PM-induced BP effects. Short-term exposure in PM was significantly associated with elevated BP in children, indicating a need to control PM levels and protect children from PM exposure in China. •Exposure to elevated PM2.5 and PM10 were associated with increased blood pressure in children and adolescents.•Female and young children were more susceptible to PM-induced blood pressure changes.•It highlighted the importance of keeping healthy weight against PM exposure.•No significantly different relationships between PM2.5 exposure and PM10 with blood pressure changes were observed.