Are children with asthma affected by smog

摘要: OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between atmospheric smog and emergency department attendances in children with asthma. DESIGN The number of child acute asthma was calculated retrospectively for each day 1989 calendar year. Daily data were then obtained from Environment Protection Authority Victoria, related statistically to attendances. SETTING Emergency Department Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, which provides primary, secondary tertiary level health care Victoria. PATIENTS All over two years age MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE RESULTS Smog alerts (smog days predicted by Authority) episodes (actual all types) not significantly A significant noted, however, when airborne particulate index above acceptable threshold. No found ozone levels (a marker photo-oxidant smog), or any unusually high attendance (asthma epidemic days). variables combined explained only 2.3% variance attendance. CONCLUSIONS Although overall contribution is small, correlation attacks particles a hitherto unreported finding Australia potentially public importance.