Air Pollution–Associated Changes in Lung Function among Asthmatic Children in Detroit

Abstract

In a longitudinal cohort study of primary-school-age children with asthma in Detroit, Michigan, we examined relationships between lung function and ambient levels of particulate matter ≤ 10 µm and ≤ 2.5 µm in diameter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) and ozone at varying lag intervals using generalized estimating equations. Models considered effect modification by maintenance corticosteroid (CS) use and by the presence of an upper respiratory infection (URI) as recorded in a daily diary among 86 children who participated in six 2-week seasonal assessments from winter 2001 through spring 2002. Participants were predominantly African American from families with low income, and > 75% were categorized as having persistent asthma. In both single-pollutant and two-pollutant models, many regressions demonstrated associations between higher exposure to ambient pollutants and poorer lung function (increased diurnal variability and decreased lowest daily values for forced expiratory volume in 1 sec) among children using CSs but not among those not using CSs, and among children reporting URI symptoms but not among those who did not report URIs. Our findings suggest that levels of air pollutants in Detroit, which are above the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards, adversely affect lung function of susceptible asthmatic children.

IL-1 Receptors Mediate Persistent, but Not Acute, Airway Hyperreactivity to Ozone in Guinea Pigs

“…This is similar to what is seen in human populations after environmental exposure to ozone (4,5). In contrast to our original hypothesis, IL-1b had no effect on ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity 1 day after ozone exposure.…”

“…Hospitalizations for both asthma and for cardiovascular complaints increase immediately after environmental ozone exposure, followed by a second increase in hospitalizations after a 3-day lag (4,5). In guinea pigs, ozone exposure also has an acute and lag phase, which we have shown are associated with changes in eosinophil populations in lungs (3).…”

Ozone enhancement of lower airway allergic inflammation is prevented by γ-tocopherol

“…Increases in ambient ozone concentration are associated with hospital admissions and reported symptoms from individuals with asthma and allergic rhinitis [1][2][3]. In challenge studies of asthmatic subjects, our research group has shown ozone induces eosinophilic infiltration in both upper and lower airways, decrements in pulmonary function, and enhances response to allergen [4][5][6].…”

Lag effect of particulate air pollution on lung function in children

“…Recent studies regarding the relationship between air pollution and health effects have shown short-term changes in respiratory symptoms or respiratory health indicators in two susceptible groups: children and patients with respiratory disease. [1][2][3][4] These reports provide evidence of the sensitive and subtle adverse health effects of low-level exposure to air pollution.…”

“…1,2 Decreases in lung function related to PM 10 exposure have been reported. 3,4 Lung function measurement is a specific objective method of monitoring respiratory health and may detect subtle respiratory effects of air pollution. Indeed, measurements of pulmonary function may be a more sensitive way to evaluate the effect of air pollution on the lung health than relying on the appearance of respiratory symptoms or disease.…”