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Reduced exposure to PM10 and attenuated age-related decline in lung function
Sara H Downs1, Christian Schindler, L-J Sally Liu
1Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
The New England Journal of Medicine
|December 7, 2007
Summary
Reducing exposure to particulate matter (PM10) air pollution appears to slow the decline in adult lung function. This protective effect is more pronounced in measures of small airway function.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Air pollution, specifically particulate matter (PM10), is linked to reduced lung function in adults.
- Previous studies showed benefits of cleaner air for children's lung function, but not for adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between changes in particulate matter exposure and the rate of lung function decline in adults.
- To determine if reducing PM10 exposure can attenuate adverse effects on adult lung function.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study followed 9,651 adults (aged 18-60) from 1990/1991 to 2002.
- Lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEF25-75), smoking, and residential PM10 concentrations were assessed.
- Validated dispersion models provided spatially resolved PM10 data for 4,742 participants.
Main Results:
- Overall PM10 exposure decreased over the 11-year follow-up.
- Reduced PM10 concentrations were significantly associated with a slower decline in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75.
- A 10 µg/m³ decrease in PM10 over 11 years reduced the annual decline rate of FEV1 by 9% and FEF25-75 by 16%.
Conclusions:
- Decreasing exposure to airborne PM10 can attenuate the decline in adult lung function.
- The protective effects of reduced PM10 exposure are more significant for lung function tests assessing small airway function.
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