Association between Air Pollution and Lung Function Growth in Southern California Children

Abstract

Average growth of lung function over a 4-yr period, in three cohorts of southern California children who were in the fourth, seventh, or tenth grade in 1993, was modeled as a function of average exposure to ambient air pollutants. In the fourth-grade cohort, significant deficits in growth of lung function (FEV 1 , FVC, maximal midexpiratory flow [MMEF], and FEF 75 ) were associated with exposure to particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 m (PM 10 ), PM 2.5 , PM 10 -PM 2.5 , NO 2 , and inorganic acid vapor (p Ͻ 0.05). No significant associations were observed with ozone. The estimated growth rate for children in the most polluted of the communities as compared with the least polluted was predicted to result in a cumulative reduction of 3.4% in FEV 1 and 5.0% in MMEF over the 4-yr study period. The estimated deficits were generally larger for children spending more time outdoors. In the seventh-and tenth-grade cohorts, the estimated pollutant effects were also negative for most lung function measures, but sample sizes were lower in these groups and none achieved statistical significance. The results suggest that significant negative effects on lung function growth in children occur at current ambient concentrations of particles, NO 2 , and inorganic acid vapor.

Traffic-related air pollution in relation to respiratory symptoms, allergic sensitisation and lung function in schoolchildren

“…These results therefore support recent cohort data in the USA demonstrating that exposure to pollution from traffic has adverse effects on children’s lung function development 2 16 17. Overall, there was a lack of association between air pollution and respiratory and allergic symptoms which is in agreement with two other studies that used subjective outcome data 18 19.…”

“…There are also studies demonstrating an association between traffic pollution and sensitisation to pollen and outdoor allergens, as well as increased levels of total and specific IgE 2 7 12. Data from cross-sectional studies have also suggested that ambient air pollution can affect lung function in 10-year-old children,13 – 15 and recent longitudinal cohort data have shown that pollution from traffic has adverse effects on children’s lung development between 10 and 18 years of age 2 16 17. However, other studies have indicated no association between air pollution indicators and respiratory symptoms18 or lung function 19…”

“…In addition, there are few studies on traffic-related air pollution as a causative agent in the initial disease development in young school children. Even if both epidemiological and experimental studies have proposed plausible biological explanations of these effects, there is a great need for more scientific evidence, especially in view of recent cohort data from California linking air pollution to impaired lung development 2 16 17…”

Assessment of air pollution effects in the subjects of Khartoum industrial area, Sudan via cytological interpretations

“…Air pollutant or particulate matter also causes inflammation/asthma and reduced lung function. Earlier studies have shown that outdoor air pollution is associated with decreased lung function [17,18]. Pollution and smoking can also cause cell death by necrosis, and with the process of apoptosis, which can increase inflammatory strength [19].…”

Estimation of Surface NO2 Volume Mixing Ratio in Four Metropolitan Cities in Korea Using Multiple Regression Models with OMI and AIRS Data

“…In particular, since NO 2 is emitted in large quantities in automobile exhaust gas, NO 2 is often used as an indicator of traffic-related air pollution in urban areas [3]. In terms of its effect on human health, long-term NO 2 exposure can lead to respiratory depression and respiratory illness [4][5][6][7][8]. In addition, it is a precursor of aerosol nitrate, tropospheric ozone, and the hydroxyl radical (OH), the main atmospheric oxidant [9].…”