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Air pollution exposure impairs lung function in infants

Björn Lundberg1,2, Olena Gruzieva3,4, Kristina Eneroth5

  • 1Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Infant exposure to air pollution, including particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide, was linked to reduced lung function. Even low pollution levels negatively impact infant airway calibre and lung volume development.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Infant lung function is crucial for long-term respiratory health.
  • Air pollution is a global concern with potential impacts on vulnerable populations.
  • Understanding early-life exposure effects is vital for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between exposure to common air pollutants and lung function in healthy infants.
  • To quantify the impact of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide on infant spirometry.
  • To determine if low levels of air pollution affect infant lung development.

Main Methods:

  • Recruitment of two cohorts of healthy infants (n=99, n=78) in Stockholm.
  • Infant spirometry utilizing plethysmography and raised volume forced expiratory flows.
  • Correlation of lung function at ~6 months with time-weighted average air pollution levels (PM10, PM2.5, NO2) from birth.

Main Results:

  • Significant inverse relationships were observed between air pollution exposure and infant forced expiratory volume at 0.5s (FEV0.5) and forced vital capacity (FVC).
  • An interquartile increase in PM10 (5.3 μg/m3) was associated with a decline of 10.1 ml in FEV0.5 and 10.3 ml in FVC.
  • No significant associations were found for minute ventilation or functional residual capacity.

Conclusions:

  • Infant air pollution exposure is associated with impaired lung function, specifically affecting airway calibre and lung volume.
  • These findings suggest that even relatively low levels of air pollution can negatively impact lung function during early development.
  • The study highlights the importance of mitigating air pollution to protect infant respiratory health.
Abstract

Keywords:
air pollutioninfancylung functionspirometry

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