Gender Differences of Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particle and Ozone in Lung Function Growth.

Abstract

Background: There are only a limited number of studies on the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and lung function growth among children, which, nevertheless, leave inconclusive results. Aim: To assess the effect of air pollutants on lung function growth. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 3,207 Taiwanese children aged 12 at baseline followed from October 1, 2007 through November 31, 2009. The final study population comprised 2,941 non-smoking children who completed lung function tests at both baseline and follow-up surveys. We applied spatial modeling for individual-level exposure assessment to clarify the role of potential community-level confounding. The exposure parameters were yearly average and calculated from the 24-hour PM2.5, and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM 8-hour O3 corresponding to residential address over the 2-year follow-up period. The effect estimates were presented as annul deficit of lung function growth per interquartile ranges (IQR) for PM2.5 and O3. Results: In a multiple linear regression adjusting for confounding, deficits in FVC, FEV1, and MMEF growth were associated with exposure to PM2.5 and O3. The annual deficits in FVC of 75 ml in boys and 61 ml in girls increased with an IQR PM2.5 (17.92 ?g/m3), and annual deficits in FVC of 54 ml in boys and 40 ml in girls increased with an IQR O3 (3.59 ppb). Similar associations were found in FEV1, and MMEF growth. Conclusions: The study provides evidence that long-term exposure to PM2.5 and O3 may increase the risk of deficit in FVC, FEV1, and MMEF growth among Taiwanese children, especially among boys.