Air pollution and temperature variations affect child mortality

Washington, Aug 16 (ANI)

A Spanish study has revealed that seasonal variations in death rates for young children are related to high levels of particulate air pollution and cold temperatures during the winter months, and to high levels of particulate pollutants and nitrogen dioxide during the summer months.

Dr. J. DA-az of Universidad AutAnomo de Madrid along with other researchers reviewed weather and pollution monitoring data for Madrid from 1986 through 1997.

The results published in this month's issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, showed significant interactions between daily temperatures and levels of specific air pollutants. In the wintertime, child mortality rates rose a few days after cold days with high levels of particulate air pollutants or total suspended particles (TSP). Death rates increased dramatically after cold days with temperatures less than 43B0 Fahrenheit.

In summers, child mortality rates rose with levels of nitrogen oxide pollutants. Most of the temperature and pollution-related increases in death rates were limited to children between 1 and 5 years old.

The results provide new insights into how daily environmental conditions at ground level might affect health in infants and young children. High TSP levels is a hazard to children in both the winter and summer months, while temperature is a factor mainly on cold days.