Five schools in the city have just been equipped with a device that will make it possible to assess children’s exposure to pollutants.
Measuring pollutants in the air in classes attended by children to understand the impact on their health: this is the aim of a brand new study carried out by the University Hospital in five schools in Montpellier.
The project, entitled Synair G, which concerns some 500 young Montpellier residentsis part of research at European level which plans to include around 3,000 children. This will allow the results to be cross-referenced with several countries. Greece, Georgia and the United Kingdom are participating.
“It’s a great opportunity that can be really useful for medical research,” explains its coordinator, Doctor Davide Caimmi, pediatric pulmonologist and allergist at the University Hospital, who initiated the study in France.
Why this study?
Various pollutants from road traffic, industrial production and others, released into the air, are transported by the wind almost everywhere. Classrooms are not exempt from the presence of this pollution and the particles are thus breathed in by children.
To assess the risks associated with these pollutants, and more precisely in terms of allergies and asthma, sensors will therefore collect data in order to measure the degree of exposure of schoolchildren according to the season and the evolution in time.
Researchers will therefore be able to quantify the link between the concentrations of pollutants and the deterioration of children’s health on respiratory problems.
At the end, scientists will be able to propose preventive measures and recommendations to act on children’s health.
Even if European funds ultimately did not make it possible to finance a doctor dedicated to the project, Dr Caimmi, who is very involved, will carry out this aspect in his free time.
What protocol?
Sensors for air pollutants and dust collection have been installed in classrooms. The data will be analyzed by Isabella Annesi-Maesano, research director at Inserm and professor of environmental epidemiology.
-As for the students, they will have to take a spirometry exam (test for measuring breathing by blowing into a device), another to quantify the concentration of nitrogen monoxide and possibly give a urine sample. “We will come to schools three times during the year for participating students”explains the coordinator.
Families will then complete questionnaires which will be accessible online. “This will allow us to list life changes such as moving, welcoming a pet, smoking, access to sport…” So the environment in which the child lives outside of school hours.
And besides, schoolchildren will also be entitled to their questionnaire. In particular thanks to a fun application to respond while playing.
Volunteers will be able to go deeper and they will be offered more complete medical follow-up. But only 100 children will be selected, 50 children with allergies or asthma and 50 others without respiratory disease.
Why can only CM1 participate?
Only CM1 students were selected. The choice of class is not trivial as the doctor explains. “This age range was decided at European level so that there was homogeneity. We did not want children who were too small and we should not exceed 12 years because we consider that at that time children start their puberty.” A factor to take into account in view of physical changes, which could distort the results.
Which schools are affected?
Five schools were selected to participate in this project. It is about Marie-Curie, Eugène-Pottier, Heidelberg, Paul-Bert and Jacques-Brel. The Diderot and Léopold-Sedar-Senghor schools were on the departure list but for reasons of work planned in the establishments, the town hall favored two other structures.
The leaving families
Meetings organized in schools last spring showed parents’ support for the project. Among the most enthusiastic, those who belong to the medical profession see it as a relevant opportunity. “This project is not only interesting but useful for health. It was able to adapt not only to school but also to children”, explains a doctor father.
Others are delighted: “If it can help improve the quality of life of our children and be used for research, that’s great. And my daughter is delighted. We’ll see.”
A selection which is already arousing some jealousy from students of other levels in the playground… The little ones hope that the project will continue for a few years until they reach CM1.
