Respiratory symptoms in children and exposure to pesticides

In Lebanon, childhood asthma is an important disease and pesticides are commonly used. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to pesticides has chronic effects on the respiratory health of Lebanese children. A cross-sectional study was performed on children from a randomly selected sample of Lebanese public schools. Exposure to pesticides was evaluated by a standardised questionnaire and a residential exposure score, and respiratory symptoms were assessed by using the American Thoracic Society standardised questionnaire. A chronic respiratory disease was reported in 407 (12.4%) out of 3,291 children. The baseline difference in mean age was small but statistically significant. Any exposure to pesticides, including residential, para-occupational and domestic, was associated with respiratory disease and chronic respiratory symptoms (chronic phlegm, chronic wheezing, ever wheezing), except for chronic cough. Exposure to pesticides was associated with chronic respiratory symptoms and disease among Lebanese children.