Long-term exposure to PM10 and NO2 in association with lung volume and airway resistance in the MAAS birth cohort (original) (raw)

2013, Environmental Health Perspectives 2013 121 1232 1238

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 (PM 10 ) and to nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) on specific airway resistance (sR aw ) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV 1 ) 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. Individuallevel PM 10 and NO 2 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 PM 10 and NO 2 was associated with significantly less growth in FEV 1 (percent predicted) over time, both before (-1.37%; 95% CI: -2.52, -0.23 for a 1-unit increase in PM 10 and -0.83%; 95% CI: -1.39, -0.28 for a 1-unit increase in NO 2 ) 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 PM 10 and NO 2 exposures were associated with small but statistically significant reductions in lung volume growth in children of elementary-school age. citation: Mölter A, Agius RM, de Vocht F, Lindley S, Gerrard W, Lowe L, Belgrave D, Custovic A, Simpson A. 2013. Long-term exposure to PM 10 and NO 2 in association with lung volume and airway resistance in the MAAS birth cohort. Environ Health Perspect 121:1232-1238. http://dx.