Objective Objectives: 1) Determination of easily and sparingly soluble elements in fine particulate aerosols (PM10) sampled in European countries in the framework of the earlier PEACE study (Pollution Effects on Asthmatic Children in Europe). 2) Analysis of possible associations between acute respiratory effects in children with chronic respiratory disease and exposure to easily/sparingly soluble elements in PM10.Recent studies indicate an increase of mortality, hospital admissions, and respiratory symptoms and decreased lung function at exposure to airborne particles at concentrations below the current air quality guidelines. A unique set of about 1,200 PM10 samples (24h sampling time, 14 m3 air volume) have been collected under well-defined conditions during two winter months in urban and rural areas in 14 regions with varying air pollution situations in 10 European countries within the framework of the project "Pollution Effects on Asthmatic Children in Europe" (PEACE). Acute effects, as regards lung function (peak expiratory flow), respiratory symptoms, and medication, have been recorded as standardised diary entries in carefully selected groups of totally about 2000 children living in the sampling areas, with well-diagnosed chronic respiratory disease. The selection and examination of the children for the study has been highly standardised in order to minimise the effects of confounding factors. Subsequent extraction of easily and sparingly soluble elements from filter media will be carried out through a two-step procedure, using mixtures of hydrofluoric and nitric acids of different concentrations. The sample solutions will be analyzed by use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a technique offering high sensitivity and multi-element capability. Possible associations between effects and element levels in air will be analyzed using advanced statistical/epidemiological methods. Linear as well as non-linear associations will be tested. Also, delayed and/or persistent effects, combined effects of different elements, and climate effects will be considered. Besides separate analysis of the data for each local group of children, a meta-analysis utilising pooled data will be performed. Through the firmly coordinated and standardised sample collection and registration of effects in different areas of Europe, the project creates a unique possibility to detect associations between respiratory effects and exposure to varying concentrations of different elements in airborne dust. It will, thus, create a firmer basis for selective and adequate preventive actions and air quality guidelines. This will favour the air-pollution situation in Europe, and thus improve the health of the European population. Also, the detailed information on the importance of different elements will make possible selective actions, which may be of value for the competitiveness of the European industry. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusescoronavirusesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringair pollution engineeringnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollutionnatural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistrymass spectrometry Programme(s) FP4-ENV 2C - Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of environment and climate, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 02020101 - Risks to human health Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator LUND UNIVERSITY EU contribution No data Address University Hospital 221 85 LUND Sweden See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen Netherlands EU contribution No data Address 6700 AE Wageningen See on map Total cost No data
