AUTHOR=Li Wenjing , Ding Ting , Feng Yahui , Xu Jin , Li Zhuo 

TITLE=Study on the impact of air pollutants on childhood asthma in Nanjing based on a distributed lag non-linear model

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560896

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560896

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=BackgroundAsthma, a chronic respiratory disease, is a significant public health concern globally. Air pollution has been identified as one of the key risk factors exacerbating respiratory conditions, particularly in children. Previous studies have shown a correlation between air pollution levels and asthma visits. However, the impact of air pollutants on childhood asthma visits stratified by gender, age and season remains a topic of interest, and further investigation is necessary to comprehend this complex relationship.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the association between air pollution and childhood asthma visits in Nanjing from 2013 to 2021. It focused on the effects of various pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3, and examined variations in impact based on demographic characteristics (gender and age) and seasonal changes.MethodsData on childhood asthma visits and concentrations of air pollutants were collected and analyzed. The lag effects of pollutants on asthma visits were assessed, and the impacts were stratified by gender, age group (0–5 years, 6–11 years, and over 11 years), and season. Statistical methods were used to identify significant correlations and the timing of maximum effects of pollutants.ResultsA positive correlation was found between childhood asthma visits and concentrations of AQI, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO, with the strongest effects typically occurring on lag day 1. The study revealed that PM2.5 and PM10 had a more pronounced impact on females, and children aged 0–5 years were the most affected age group. Seasonal analysis showed that PM2.5 and SO2 had the greatest impact in spring, while PM10 and NO2 were most significant in winter. Notably, SO2 showed no significant impact on childhood over 11 years old or during summer, and the negative correlation between CO concentrations and childhood asthma visits in the summer, while in other seasons, the correlation was positive.ConclusionThe findings indicate a substantial effect of air pollutants, particularly PM2.5 and SO2, on childhood asthma, emphasizing the need for targeted pollution control measures. Variations in impact based on gender, age, and season suggest the importance of tailored interventions to protect vulnerable populations, especially young children in urban and industrial areas.