The Influence of Short-Term Weather Parameters and Air Pollution on Adolescent Airway Inflammation

Fraction of exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) is a marker of airway inflammation. We examined the main effects and interactions of relative humidity (RH) and air pollution on adolescents' FeNO. Two thousand and forty-two participants from the 15-year follow-up of the German GINIplus and LISA birth cohorts were included. Daily meteorological (maximum [Tmax], minimum [Tmin] and mean [Tmean] temperatures and RH) and air pollution [Ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter < 2.5 µm (PM_2.5)] were assessed. Linear models were fitted with Ln(FeNO) as the outcome. Increases in FeNO indicate an increase in lung inflammation. Increased FeNO was associated with an increase in temperature, PM_2.5, O₃ and NO₂. A 5% increase in RH was associated with a decrease in FeNO. Interactions between RH and high (p = 0.007) and medium (p = 0.050) NO₂ were associated with increases in FeNO; while interactions between RH and high (p = 0.042) and medium (p = 0.040) O₃ were associated with decreases in FeNO. Adverse effects were present for male participants, participants with low SES, participants with chronic respiratory disease, and participants from Wesel. Short-term weather and air pollution have an effect on lung inflammation in German adolescents. Future research should focus on further assessing the short-term effect of multiple exposures on lung inflammation in adolescents.