Short-Term Effects of Carbonaceous Components in PM2.5 on Pulmonary Function: A Panel Study of 37 Chinese Healthy Adults

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the health effects of indoor/outdoor carbonaceous compositions in PM2.5 on pulmonary function among healthy students living in the local university campus. Methods: Daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were measured among 37 healthy students in the morning and evening for four two-week periods. Concurrent concentrations of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5m), carbonaceous components in PM2.5, ambient temperature, and relative humidity in the study area were also obtained. Mixed-effects model was applied to evaluate the associations between carbonaceous components and lung function. Different lags for the carbonaceous components were investigated. Results: In single-pollutant model, a 10 g/m3 increase of indoor and outdoor EC (elemental carbon) associated with −3.93 (95%CI: −6.89, −0.97) L/min and −3.21 (95%CI: −5.67, −0.75) L/min change in evening PEF at lag 0 day, respectively. Also, a 10 g/m3 increase of indoor and outdoor POC (primary organic carbon) concentration was significantly associated with −5.82 (95%CI: −10.82, −0.81) L/min and −7.32 (95%CI: −12.93, −1.71) L/min change of evening PEF at lag 0 day. After adjusting total mass of PM2.5, indoor EC consistently had a significant adverse impact on evening PEF and FEV1 at lag3 day and a cumulative effect at lag0-3 day. Conclusions: This study suggests that carbonaceous components in PM2.5 indeed have impacts on pulmonary function among healthy young adults especially on evening PEF. Thus, the local mitigation strategies on pollution are needed.

Respiratory function declines in children with asthma associated with chemical species of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Nagasaki, Japan

“…A major strength of this study was that we obtained a large number of daily PEF measurements over three years in the spring, while most previous panel studies investigating the associations with PM 2.5 exposures have been designed to collect lung function measurements over multiple days or a few months [ 24 , 29 – 32 ]. The large number of PEF measurements in our study could increase the statistical power to detect a smaller effect size for the exposure-response associations among children with asthma, who are one of the most vulnerable populations to air pollution exposure.…”

Respiratory function declines in children with asthma associated with chemical species of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Nagasaki, Japan

“…A major strength of this study was that we obtained a large number of daily PEF measurements over three years in the spring, while most previous panel studies investigating the associations with PM 2.5 exposures have been designed to collect lung function measurements over multiple days or a few months [24,[29][30][31][32]. The large number of PEF measurements in our study could increase the statistical power to detect a smaller effect size for the exposure-response associations among children with asthma, who are one of the most vulnerable populations to air pollution exposure.…”

Carbonaceous component of Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) in Makassar City, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia

“…Recently many studies have been reported regarding the carbonaceous component of ambient particulate matters (PMs) and their harmful effects on human health and environments such as climate and visibility [1][2][3][4]. It is commonly classified into two main fractions, i.e., organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC).…”