Particulate Matter Triggers for Pediatric Asthma

Abstract

The exposure of particulate matter on children, ages 1-18, is considered in this paper using a quantitative research approach. Utilizing foundational and seminal sources, this is a review of asthma and its triggers, and particulate matter, specifically ultrafine particles with a dimension of less than or equal to 100 nanometers (nm). An interest sparked with the effect of these ultrafine particles and their possible ignition of asthma. A troubling area was a lack of information on what may cause a greater link when exposed to these ultrafine particles: an ambient/indoor environment or an outdoor/non-ambient environment. This posed a significant concern because even though both environments may lead to asthma, the lack of information was not evident and not uninformed. To conduct this study, a systematic review occurred using a statistical program. Data was accumulated from multiple sources that tested for either an association of pediatric asthma and particulate matter with an outdoor exposure or an indoor exposure. Analyses were ran and statistical evidence resulted in a greater association in an indoor environment. The variables accounted for were odds ratio, confidence intervals and their limits, the setting of the tests run within the research and the exposure of the particulate matter.