Outdoor air pollution and lung function in middle-aged adults of the ELISABET study

The impact of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution on lung function remains insufficiently studied in adults. Our aim was to study the associations between long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution, including industrial and urban exposures, and lung function in middle-aged adults.The analyses were conducted among 2986 adults (53 years old in average, 47% men) from the Enquête Littoral Souffle Air Biologie Environment (ELISABET, 2011-2013), a French cross-sectional survey. Air pollutant levels (NO2, PM10 and SO2) were estimated at the participants’ residential address by ATMO Nord-Pas-de-Calais, in Lille and Dunkirk urban areas. The lung function tests were performed according to the ATS/ERS guidelines, and four parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF25-75) were used.Yearly mean levels in µg/m3 (±standard deviation) of NO2, PM10 and SO2 were 23.1 (±5.10), 26.8 (±1.59) and 3.29 (±1.65), respectively. Increases of NO2 and PM10 levels were significantly associated with lower FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF25-75, and an increase of SO2 level was significantly associated with lower FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF25-75 (Figure 1). Similar associations were found in both urban areas.Our results add evidence of the impact of urban and industrial outdoor air pollution on lung function in adults from northern France.
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Epidemiology Source Type: research