The authors confirm that all data underlying the findings are fully available without restriction. Panel studies have shown adverse effects of air pollution from biomass burning on children's health. This study estimated the effect of current levels of outdoor air pollution in the Amazonian dry season on peak expiratory flow PEF.
PEF was measured daily in the dry season in Mixed-effects models and unified modelling repeated for every child were applied. Time trends, temperature, humidity, and subject characteristics were regarded. Inhalable particulate matter PM 10 , fine particulate matter PM 2.
Polynomial distributed lag models PDLM were also applied. For PM 10 , the reductions varied from 0. For PM 2.
As for BC, the reduction was approximately 1. Also, reductions in lags 3 and 4 were observed. These associations were stronger for children between 6 and 8 years old. Reductions in PEF were associated with air pollution, mainly for lagged exposures of 3 to 5 days and for younger children. Several studies have shown adverse health effects from air pollution in many parts of the world [1] β [3]. Panel studies with children and teenagers have revealed important associations between air pollution and episodes of respiratory symptoms or lung function [4] β [8].
Such effects were found in both asthmatic and healthy subjects aged between 6 and 18 years old. Because children are still developing physiologically, exposure to air pollutants is a major risk factor for health and may have consequences in adulthood [9].
