Plastic wall materials in the home and respiratory health in young children

OBJECTIVES: The relation between the presence of plastic wall materials in the home and respiratory health in children was assessed. METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional study involved 2568 Finnish children aged 1 to 7 years. RESULTS: In logistic regression models, lower respiratory tract symptoms--persistent wheezing (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13, 10.36), cough (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.04, 5.63), and phlegm (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.03, 7.41)--were strongly related to the presence of plastic wall materials, whereas upper respiratory symptoms were not. The risk of asthma (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 0.35, 6.71) and pneumonia (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 0.62, 5.29) was also increased in children exposed to such materials. CONCLUSIONS: Emissions from plastic materials indoors may have adverse effects on the lower respiratory tracts of small children.