Abstract
Background: Long-term effects of air pollution on lung function remain uncertain particularly for adults.
Aims: To investigate the association between exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – used as a marker for local traffic-related pollution - and particulate matter <10 microns (PM10) in the urban area of Grenoble (France) and lung function in adults.
Methods: Lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC% predicted assessed using the Stanojevic equations) were assessed between 2001-2007 for 450 adults living in Grenoble (120 asthmatics and 330 non asthmatics), in the frame of the follow-up of two epidemiological studies, EGEA (Epidemiological study on the Genetics and Environment on Asthma) and ECRHS (European Community Respiratory Health Survey). The annual means of NO2 (2004) and PM10 (2008) levels were estimated at the home addresses using a dispersion model and were combined to time-specific measures from the permanent air quality monitoring stations to capture temporal variations in exposure (the year before the lung function measurement). Linear regression models were stratified by asthma and adjusted for sex, age, BMI, active and passive smoking, occupational group, atopy, study and for asthmatics inhaled corticosteroids.
Results: Medians concentrations (μg/m3) were 34 (IQR 31-38) for NO2 and 31 (IQR 29-33) for PM10. In non asthmatics, for a 10μg/m3 increase in NO2 and PM10, FVC% predicted decreased by 3.7 (p=.01) and 11.7 (p=.03) and FEV1% predicted by 3.3 (p=.02) and 9.0 (p=.07) respectively. Similar but not significant negative trends were observed in asthmatics.
Conclusion: Results suggest negative associations of home outdoor NO2 and PM10 with lung function in non asthmatics.
Grant:region Rhône-Alpes (CIBLE)
- © 2011 ERS