Michael Bräuer|Ulrike Gehring|Bert Brunekreef|Johan de Jongste|Jorrit Gerritsen|Maroeska M. Rovers|Heinz Erich Wichmann|Alet H. Wijga|Joachim Heinrich
Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Otitis Media
University of British Columbia|Institute of Groundwater Ecology|Utrecht University|Erasmus MC|Erasmus University Rotterdam|University Medical Center Groningen|University of Groningen|University Medical Center Utrecht|Institute of Groundwater Ecology|National Institute for Public Health and the Environment|Institute of Groundwater Ecology
otitis media one common infections young children although exposure environmental tobacco smoke known risk factor associated otitis media little information available regarding potential association air pollutionwe set study relationship exposure trafficrelated air pollution otitis media two birth cohortsindividual estimates outdoor concentrations trafficrelated air pollutantsnitrogen dioxide fine particles particulate matter aerodynamic diameters 25 microm pm25 elemental carbonwere calculated home addresses approximately 3700 650 infants birth cohort studies netherlands germany respectively air pollution exposure analyzed relation physician diagnosis otitis media first 2 years lifeodds ratios adjusted known major risk factors otitis media indicated positive associations trafficrelated air pollutants increase 3 microgm3 pm25 05 microgm3 elemental carbon 10 microgm3 no2 associated odds ratios 113 95 confidence interval 100127 110 100122 114 103127 netherlands 124 084183 110 086141 114 087149 germany respectivelythese findings indicate association exposure trafficrelated air pollutants incidence otitis media given ubiquitous nature air pollution exposure importance otitis media childrens health findings significant public health implications