Levels of PM <sub>10</sub> and PM <sub>2.5</sub> and Respiratory Health Impacts on School-Going Children in Kenya
Faridah Hussein Were, Godfrey A. Wafula, Cromwel Lukorito, Timothy Kamanu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: ) or even lower. OBJECTIVE: levels and respiratory health impacts on children in schools located in an industrialized suburb in Kenya. METHOD: levels were sampled from five public primary schools in Athi River Township and a control school during the wet and dry seasons. Outdoor and classroom samples were collected concurrently on an 8-hour mean during school hours on two consecutive days in each school and analyzed using gravimetric techniques. Five hundred and seventy-eight (n = 578) pupils aged 9-14 years from these schools were also evaluated for symptoms of respiratory illnesses and lung function using a questionnaire and spirometric method, respectively, during the same periods. RESULTS: levels and lung function deficits and vice versa. The association was more prevalent during the wet season. CONCLUSIONS: The study calls for effective indoor air management programs in school environments to reduce PM exposure and respiratory health impacts. PARTICIPANT CONSENT: Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL: The research permit and approvals were obtained from the University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital Ethics and Research Committee (KNH-UoN ERC Reference: P599/08/2016) and the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (Reference: NACOSTI/P/18/4268/25724). COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.