Air Pollution and Student Health

Abstract

This study investigates the health effects of air pollution on student populations at seven California universities during the 1970 to 1971 academic year. The combined use of a spatiotemporal control strategy, morbidity data focused on the appearance of symptoms, and a time-series analysis, allows us to relate interschool differences in respiratory illness rates to the gradient of pollution levels in the Los Angeles basin. In particular, pharyngitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, colds, and sore throats are associated primarily with photochemical oxidants, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. A comparison of selected high- and low-pollution days indicates that air pollution may well be responsible for a 16.7% increase in these respiratory symptoms between Los Angeles schools situated in lowest and highest contaminant concentrations.