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Air Pollutants and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Administration in Elementary Schools
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  • Rami Saadeh,
  • Wasantha Jayawardene,
  • David Lohrmann,
  • Ahmed YoussefAgha
Rami Saadeh
Jordan University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:rasaadeh@just.edu.jo

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Wasantha Jayawardene
Indiana University Bloomington
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David Lohrmann
Indiana University Bloomington
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Ahmed YoussefAgha
Indiana University Bloomington
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Abstract

Introduction. Air pollution is considered a risk factor for several diseases, including respiratory and cardiovascular. However, the effects of air pollution on neurobehavioral disorders is not confirmed yet. Thus, this study aimed at determining the association of seven air pollutants with ADHD medication administration (ADHD-MA) in Pennsylvania-located elementary schools over a three-year period. Methods. An ecological study design involving records of 168,825 children from elementary schools in 49 Pennsylvania counties was used. The number of children with ADHD-MA was extracted from an online software specifically designed for allowing nurses to record health conditions in schools. Daily measurements of air pollutants were gained from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. Results. The mean number of ADHD-MA significantly increased over the 3-year period [163.9 (+ 70.1) in 2008, 317.2 (+ 84.4) in 2009, and 427 (+ 101.4) in 2010]. The difference in the number of ADHD-MA among the three years and among the four seasons, for all years, were statistically significant (P<0.001). Three air pollutants (SO2, CO, and PM2.5) were significantly associated with ADHD-MA; no interactions among air pollutants were significant. Conclusion. Air pollution is likely associated with both ADHD incidence and ADHD-MA. Prospective epidemiological and biomedical studies could examine the relationship between air pollution and ADHD symptoms.
13 Sep 2022Published in Biomedical Reports volume 17 issue 5. 10.3892/br.2022.1568