Abstract
BackgroundExposure to air pollution has been reported to be associated with asthma exacerbation. However, little is known about the effects of air pollutant exposure in healthy people. A panel study was conducted to evaluate the acute effects of air pollutants on pulmonary function and airway inflammation in healthy subjects.MethodsExhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH, fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and pulmonary function were measured in 21 healthy young women repeatedly for two weeks in the summer in Tokyo, Japan. The concentrations of air pollutants were obtained from the monitoring stations in the neighborhoods where the subjects lived. Statistical analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations.ResultsEBC pH decreased significantly with a 10-ppb increase in the 4-day average ozone (O3) concentration and a 10-µg/m3 increase in the 4-day average suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration (−0.07 [95% confidence interval {CI} −0.11 to −0.03] and −0.08 [95% CI −0.12 to −0.03], respectively). Subjects with a history of rhinitis showed marked decreases in EBC pH associated with increases in O3 and SPM. The changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were also significantly associated with a 10-µg/m3 increase in the 3-day average concentration of SPM (−0.09 L [95% CI −0.17 to −0.01]). FeNO increased significantly in relation to the increase in O3 and SPM among only subjects with a history of asthma.ConclusionsOver the course of the study, EBC became significantly acidic with increases in O3 and SPM concentrations. Furthermore, higher SPM concentrations were associated with decreased FEV1. Subjects with a history of rhinitis or asthma are considered to be more susceptible to air pollutants.
Highlights
IntroductionThe acute effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms have been widely reported.[1,2] Many studies have shown that ambient air pollution, especially particulate matter, is associated with effects on respiratory symptoms and exacerbation of asthma.[3,4,5,6,7,8,9] Ozone (O3) is a major air pollutant, and studies have reported that high concentrations of ozone in summer affect respiratory symptoms in subjects with asthma.[10,11,12,13] Berhane et al showed that a short-term increase in O3 concentration was related to airway inflammation in children.[14]
A total of 84 samples of fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), Peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were collected, and 83 samples of Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were collected, because one sample was contaminated by saliva
Increase in the 3-day average concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) was associated with a decrease in FEV1
Summary
The acute effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms have been widely reported.[1,2] Many studies have shown that ambient air pollution, especially particulate matter, is associated with effects on respiratory symptoms and exacerbation of asthma.[3,4,5,6,7,8,9] Ozone (O3) is a major air pollutant, and studies have reported that high concentrations of ozone in summer affect respiratory symptoms in subjects with asthma.[10,11,12,13] Berhane et al showed that a short-term increase in O3 concentration was related to airway inflammation in children.[14]. Exposure to air pollution has been reported to be associated with asthma exacerbation. A panel study was conducted to evaluate the acute effects of air pollutants on pulmonary function and airway inflammation in healthy subjects. Subjects with a history of rhinitis showed marked decreases in EBC pH associated with increases in O3 and SPM. The changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were significantly associated with a 10-μg/m3 increase in the 3-day average concentration of SPM (−0.09 L [95% CI −0.17 to −0.01]). FeNO increased significantly in relation to the increase in O3 and SPM among only subjects with a history of asthma. Conclusions: Over the course of the study, EBC became significantly acidic with increases in O3 and SPM concentrations. Subjects with a history of rhinitis or asthma are considered to be more susceptible to air pollutants
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