Effect of air pollution and racism on ethnic differences in respiratory health among adolescents living in an urban environment

Authors

Thomas E. Astell-Burt, University of WollongongFollow
Maria J. Maynard, Leeds Beckett University
Erik Lenguerrand, University of Bristol
Melissa Whitrow, University Of Adelaide
Oarabile R. Molaodi, University Of Glasgow
Seeromanie Harding, Kings College London

RIS ID

106320

Publication Details

Astell-Burt, T., Maynard, M. J., Lenguerrand, E., Whitrow, M. J., Molaodi, O. R. & Harding, S. (2013). Effect of air pollution and racism on ethnic differences in respiratory health among adolescents living in an urban environment. Health and Place, 23 171-178.

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that stress can amplify the harm of air pollution. We examined whether experience of racism and exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm and 10 µm (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) had a synergistic influence on ethnic differences in asthma and lung function across adolescence. Analyses using multilevel models showed lower forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC) and lower rates of asthma among some ethnic minorities compared to Whites, but higher exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and racism. Racism appeared to amplify the relationship between asthma and air pollution for all ethnic groups, but did not explain ethnic differences in respiratory health.