Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters
Published on: July 12, 2024
Chronic effects of ambient air pollution on lung function among Chinese children
Yang Gao1, Emily Y Y Chan, Li Ping Li
1School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
Objectives:
To examine the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and lung function among Chinese schoolchildren in Southern China (Hong Kong).
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study among 3168 schoolchildren (aged 8-10 years) in 3 districts in Hong Kong. Annual means of ambient PM10 (particulate matter <10 µm), SO2, NO2 and O3 from 1996 to 2003 were used to estimate the individual exposure of the subjects. Children's lung function was measured for forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF(25-75)) and forced expiratory flow at 75% of FVC (FEF75). Analysis of covariance was performed separately by gender to estimate the impact of air pollution on lung function, with adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics, respiratory morbidities, height and weight, physical activity level, indoor air contaminants and short-term exposure to the air pollutants.
Results:
After controlling for potential confounding factors, FEV1, FEF(25-75) and FEF75 for boys in a high-pollution district (HPD) were significantly lower than those in a low-pollution district (LPD) by 3.0%, 7.6% and 8.4%, respectively. No significant differences were found for girls. Results from the comparison between a moderate-pollution district (MPD) and the HPD were similar. There were no differences between children in the LPD and MPD, except that a higher FEF75 was found in boys in the MPD. PM10 is the primary pollutant responsible for the lung function deficit. Asthmatic children were more vulnerable to exposure to air pollution.
Conclusions:
Long-term exposure to higher ambient air pollution levels was associated with lower lung function in Chinese schoolchildren, especially among boys. Adverse effects were observed on large and small airways, with a stronger effect on the latter.
More Related Videos
08:17Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure
Published on: August 25, 2017
09:33Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India
Published on: December 23, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations