Lung function decline and blood lead among residents nearby to industrial complex

PURPOSE: This study was to ascertain the risk factors of pulmonary function decline (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV(1)], forced vital capacity [FVC]) among those exposed to lead in the vicinity of industrial complex. METHODS: In total, 263 men and women, aged over 30, were recruited from two cities during a 2-year follow-up. Spirometry testing was conducted first at baseline and then after 2-years of follow-up. The change in FVC and FEV(1) during the study period was analyzed according to blood lead (BPb), urinary cotinine, and 1-hydroxypyrene, after controlling for sex, height, baseline FVC or FEV(1), and airway hyperresponsiveness. RESULTS: With increase in age, both FEV(1) and FVC declined. More marked decline in FVC was noted for men than for women (p < 0.05), while the decline in FEV(1) was not. Biological variables, especially height (p < 0.05) and pulmonary status (p < 0.0001), were associated with the decline in both FEV(1) and FVC. Even after controlling these other variables, blood lead level was also significantly associated with the decline of FVC. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the decline in FEV(1) and FVC with aging was within a normal range, people with smaller height were more vulnerable to the decline of both FEV(1) and FVC and especially higher level of BPb was accompanied with larger decline of FVC. Oxidative stress in relation to lead accumulation in adult may contribute to rapid aging of pulmonary function.