Truck traffic related air pollution associated with asthma symptoms in young boys: a cross-sectional study

Summary Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of intensity of truck traffic on asthma symptomatology, and its relationship with age and gender. Study design A cross-sectional study was conducted on children and adolescents from Galicia (North-West Spain). Methods Following the methodology of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC): children from schools randomly selected, answered a self-administered questionnaire included questions on asthma symptoms and some risk factors. The association between self-reported truck traffic on the street of residence and symptoms of asthma were investigated by logistic regression adjusted for body mass index, maternal education and parental smoking. Results Almost 40% of children in Galicia are exposed to the frequent and constant passing of heavy goods vehicles. The odds of 6–7 year-old boys having severe or exercise induced asthma is tripled when they live in streets with the constant passing of heavy goods vehicles, compared with those living in streets where these vehicles never pass. In adolescents and 6–7 year-old girls, no relationship was observed between truck traffic and asthma symptoms. Conclusions The results of this study appear to support a distinct effect of truck traffic on asthma symptoms depending on the age and sex of the exposed population, being more harmful for young males.