Objective.

To assess the association between the air pollutants exposure on markers of oxidative stress and lung function in schoolchildren with and without asthma from Salamanca and Leon Guanajuato, Mexico.

Materials and methods:

We realized determinations of oxidative stress biomarkers and lung function tests in 314 schoolchildren. Information of air pollutants (O3, SO2, CO, PM2.5 and PM10) were obtained from monitoring stations and multiple linear regression models were run to assess the association.

Results:

An increase of 0.09 pmol in conjugated dienes was observed by exposure to PM10 lag 1 in asthmatics from Salamanca (p<0.05). The exposure to O3 during the same day increased the concentration of Lipohydroperoxides in 4.38 nmol in asthmatics of Salamanca, as well as in 2.31 nmol by exposure to PM10 lag 2 (p<0.05). The forced vital capacity decreased by 138 and 203 ml in children without asthma, respectively, due to exposure to carbon monoxide (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Exposure to air pollutants increase oxidative stress and decreased lung function in schoolchildren, with and without asthma.