Lung function is associated with short term changes in air pollution

Introduction: Exposure to ambient gaseous and particulate air pollution is a well-known public health risk. Day-to-day changes in concentrations of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and ozone are associated with increased cardiovascular and pulmonary morbidity and mortality, mostly in vulnerable groups. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between short term changes in levels of air pollution and lung function in healthy adults. Methods: Yearly lung function measurements in a cohort of 2449 workers were analysed and associated with air pollution in a repeated measures design. FVC, FEV, FEV1/FVC and PEF were measured 2.3 times on average in each individual). Concentrations of PM10, NO, NO2, BC and ozone were measured at an official monitoring station close to their workplace. Results: The mean observed PM10 concentration was 24.9 ± 15.5 µg/m³. An increase of 1 µg PM10/m3 on the day of the clinical examination was associated with a 1.97 ml lower FVC (95% CI: -2.8 to -1.1, p<0...