www.ccsenet.org/enrr Environment and Natural Resources Research Vol. 1, No. 1; December 2011 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 25 The Effect of Industrial vs. Rural Environment in the Respiratory Status of Schoolchildren Eleni A Papadimitriou (Corresponding author), Elena Riza & Leonidas Pililitsis Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 75 Mikras Asias Str, 11527, Athens, Greece Tel: 30-21-0746-2064 E-mail: epapadim@med.uoa.gr Georgios Chrousos First Department of Pediatrics, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece Athena Linos Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 75 Mikras Asias Str, 11527, Athens, Greece & Prolepsis Institute of Preventive Environmental and Occupational Medicine 7 Fragoklissias Str, Maroussi, Athens, Greece Received: September 8, 2011 Accepted: September 27, 2011 Published: December 1, 2011 doi:10.5539/enrr.v1n1p25 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v1n1p25 Abstract Introduction: This is the first study in Greece where specific methodology is used controlling for all known confounders on the morphology of the children’s spirometric curve in industrial vs. rural area. Materials and Methods: A parental questionnaire and a spirometry test in 62 children in Oinofyta (Industrial area) and 42 in Makrakomi (Rural Area) (5 th and 6 th Grades, 11-12 years). Results: Higher rates in the industrial area for children’s history of asthma and asthma related symptoms were observed. Subnormal spirometric curve rates in Oinofyta was 25.8% vs. 12.2% in Makarakomi (P=0.074). Similarly, the number of children who had FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) <90% was higher in Oinofyta than in Makrakomi (P=0.046). After adjusting for confounding factors, statistically significant differences were observed in asthma diagnosis and related symptoms, in subnormal spirometric curves and spirometric indices between children in the two study groups. Conclusion: Industrial residential area is significantly associated with children’s history of asthma and reduced pulmonary function. Keywords: Childhood asthma, Industrial area, Respiratory health 1. Introduction Bronchial asthma is a very common chronic disease in childhood and its prevalence has been increasing during the past decades, as shown by a considerable number of studies, where asthma and allergies in childhood are more pronounced in most developed countries (Asher et al., 2006; Maziak et al., 2003; Pearce et al., 2000). The aetiology of the disease seems to be multifactorial and still remains under discussion (Anthracopoulos et al. 2001; Pearce & Douwes, 2006). The environmental factors which greatly contribute to the development of the disease