Home Heating and Respiratory Symptoms among Children in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Abstract

In this study, the authors assessed whether home heating with a glass-fronted solid fuel fire (GFF) affected the respiratory health of children in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Questionnaires were mailed to 2,480 households within 4 medical general practice areas of the city. Respiratory symptoms, tobacco exposure, socioeconomic status, and crowding were studied. The authors found statistically significant relationships (p < 0.001) between GFF heating and wheeze, cough, and asthma diagnosis (odds ratios [ORs] = 3.23, 2.91, and 1.83, respectively). After controlling for tobacco exposure, social deprivation, and crowding, GFF heating remained associated with wheeze, cough, and asthma diagnosis (ORs = 2.47, 2.20, and 1.81, respectively). Respiratory symptoms were triggered 6 times more often when GFF heating was turned on, compared with when it was off. A pilot environmental study of 19 homes determined that levels of particulate matter with diameters ≤ 10 uμ (PM₁₀) were significantly higher when GFF heating was on. Home heating with GFF is associated with respiratory symptoms in children; in fact, PM₁₀ levels may be the causal link.

Keywords:

• asthma
• children
• glass-fronted solid fuel
• home heating
• Northern Ireland
• respiratory symptoms