Solar and geomagnetic activity reduces pulmonary function and enhances particulate pollution effects

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Space Weather

Background:

• Solar and geomagnetic activity (SGA) may negatively impact pulmonary function by altering the nervous system and antioxidant levels.
• SGA can modulate physiochemical processes, influencing atmospheric aerosol composition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between lung function metrics (FEV1 and FVC) and SGA.
• To determine if SGA exacerbates the adverse effects of particulate pollution, black carbon (BC), and PM2.5 on lung function.

Main Methods:

• A repeated measures analysis was conducted on 726 participants in the Normative Aging Study (Boston, MA) from 2000-2017.
• Interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), K-index (Kp), and sunspot number (SSN) were used as measures of SGA.
• Linear mixed-effects models assessed moving averages (up to 28 days) for SGA and pollution exposures.

Main Results:

• Increased SGA (IMF, Kp, SSN) was significantly associated with reduced FEV1 and FVC, even after adjusting for confounders.
• Longer exposure moving averages showed more pronounced effects on lung function.
• SGA significantly enhanced the detrimental effects of PM2.5 and BC on FEV1 and FVC.

Conclusions:

• Elevated SGA periods may directly impair pulmonary function.
• SGA intensifies the negative respiratory impacts of PM2.5 and black carbon exposure.
• Given the widespread nature of solar activity, stricter air pollution control measures are essential, especially for older adults.