Long-term exposure to PM10 and NO2 in association with lung volume and airway resistance in the MAAS birth cohort.
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Findings from previous studies on the effects of air pollution exposure on lung function during childhood have been inconsistent. A common limitation has been the quality of exposure data used, and few studies have modeled exposure longitudinally throughout early life. OBJECTIVES: We sought to study the long-term effects of exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) and to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on specific airway resistance (sR(aw)) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) before and after bronchodilator treatment. Subjects were from the Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study (MAAS) birth cohort (n = 1,185). METHODS: Spirometry was performed during clinic visits at ages 3, 5, 8, and 11 years. Individual-level PM10 and NO2 exposures were estimated from birth to 11 years of age through a microenvironmental exposure model. Longitudinal and cross-sectional associations were estimated using generalized estimating equations and multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS: Lifetime exposure to PM10 and NO2 was associated with significantly less growth in FEV1 (percent predicted) over time, both before (-1.37%; 95% CI: -2.52, -0.23 for a 1-unit increase in PM10 and -0.83%; 95% CI: -1.39, -0.28 for a 1-unit increase in NO2) and after bronchodilator treatment (-3.59%; 95% CI: -5.36, -1.83 and -1.20%; 95% CI: -1.97, -0.43, respectively). We found no association between lifetime exposure and sR(aw) over time. Cross-sectional analyses of detailed exposure estimates for the summer and winter before 11 years of age and lung function at 11 years indicated no significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term PM10 and NO2 exposures were associated with small but statistically significant reductions in lung volume growth in children of elementary-school age.
Date Issued
2013-10-01
Date Acceptance
2013-06-17
Citation
Environmental Health Perspectives, 2013, 121 (10), pp.1232-1238
ISSN
1552-9924
Publisher
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Start Page
1232
End Page
1238
Journal / Book Title
Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume
121
Issue
10
Copyright Statement
Mölter A, Agius RM, de Vocht F, Lindley S, Gerrard W, Lowe L, Belgrave D,
Custovic A, Simpson A. 2013. Long-term exposure to PM10 and NO2 in association with lung
volume and airway resistance in the MAAS birth cohort. Environ Health Perspect 121:1232–1238.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205961. Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives.
Custovic A, Simpson A. 2013. Long-term exposure to PM10 and NO2 in association with lung
volume and airway resistance in the MAAS birth cohort. Environ Health Perspect 121:1232–1238.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205961. Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives.
Subjects
Air Pollutants
Airway Resistance
Child
Child, Preschool
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Lung
Male
Nitrogen Dioxide
Particulate Matter
Spirometry
Publication Status
Published