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Associations among air pollution, asthma and lung function: a cross-sectional study.
Jun Cheng1, Zhichen Liu2, Dianwu Li3,4,5
1Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Scientific Reports
|April 2, 2025
Summary
Air pollution, including PM2.5 and NO2, is linked to higher asthma prevalence and increased wheezing in adults. Exposure also worsens lung function and raises hospitalization risks for those with asthma.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Respiratory Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Ambient air pollution is a global health concern, primarily impacting the respiratory system.
- Limited evidence exists on the specific effects of air pollutants on asthma prevalence, outcomes, and lung function in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ambient air pollutants and asthma prevalence in adults.
- To evaluate the relationship between air pollution exposure and asthma outcomes, including wheezing, hospitalizations, and lung function (FEV1 and FVC).
Main Methods:
- A large cross-sectional study involving 454,921 adults aged 37-73 from the UK Biobank.
- Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess associations between air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, NOx, PMcoarse) and asthma-related outcomes.
- Lung function parameters, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Increased levels of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and NOx were significantly associated with higher asthma prevalence.
- Air pollution exposure correlated with increased odds of current wheezing and asthma-related hospitalizations.
- Among asthmatics, higher pollution levels were linked to significant decreases in FEV1 and FVC.
Conclusions:
- Ambient air pollution is associated with increased asthma prevalence in British adults.
- Air pollution exposure negatively impacts asthma outcomes, leading to more wheezing, hospitalizations, and reduced lung function.
- These findings underscore the public health importance of mitigating air pollution to protect respiratory health, particularly for individuals with asthma.
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