Correlation of pulmonary function and domestic microenvironment

Abstract

Pulmonary pressures, total and timed vital capacity, functional residual capacity and carbon monoxide uptake have been correlated with temperature, humidity, suspended particulate matter and gaseous acid in a 3-month prospective survey of 10 cardiorespiratory cripples. Results have been analyzed by a sequential multiple regression technique, and significant relationships demonstrated between pulmonary function measurements and time, humidity and suspended particulate matter. The immediate response to suspended particulate matter was consistent with bronchoconstriction, although the most significant features were a transient depression of pulmonary pressures and carbon monoxide uptake. The prolonged depression of carbon monoxide uptake, starting 4 days after an intense episode of pollution, did not show itself as a significant long-lag coefficient for the survey as a whole; the existence of a threshold dose of suspended particulate to produce structural damage is postulated. Submitted on February 20, 1959

Variability of Respiratory Functions Based on Circadian Cycles

“…A knowledge of the variability of lung functions is essential for an accurate evaluation of respiratory abnormalities. Day-today changes in lung functions have been reported m normal subjects and in patients with cardiorespiratory diseases by Shepard et al (10) and Spicer et al (11,12).…”

“…The observed daily changes in respiratory functions could be related either to environmental changes or to cyclic changes of an endogenous nature (circadian cycles). A significant correlation was established between changes of respiratory functions and alterations in atmospheric conditions (10) and more specifically with the temperature of the environment outside on the day of measurement (12). However, no systematic study of diurnal cycles of lung functions has beer reported in which the environmental influences were rigidly controlled.…”