The Effect of Air Pollution on Lung Development from 10 to 18 Years of Age

• DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa040610
• Publication Date: 2004-09-08T21:33:47Z
• Authors: W. James Gauderman; Edward Avol; Frank Gilliland; Hita Vora; Duncan Thomas; Kiros Berhane; Rob McConnell; Nino Kuenzli; Fred Lurmann; Edward Rappaport; Helene Margolis; David Bates; John Peters
• Keywords: Male; Adolescent; Nitrogen Dioxide; Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; 01 natural sciences; California; Ozone; Reference Values; Air Pollution; Forced Expiratory Volume; Surveys and Questionnaires; 11. Sustainability; Humans; Prospective Studies; Particle Size; Child; Lung; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences; Air Pollutants; 3. Good health; Spirometry; 13. Climate action; Linear Models; Female; Environmental Monitoring

Whether exposure to air pollution adversely affects the growth of lung function during period rapid development that occurs between ages 10 and 18 years is unknown.In this prospective study, we recruited 1759 children (average age, years) from schools in 12 southern California communities measured annually for eight years. The rate attrition was approximately percent per year. represented a wide range ambient exposures ozone, acid vapor, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter. Linear regression used examine relationship forced expiratory volume one second (FEV(1)) other spirometric measures.Over eight-year period, deficits FEV(1) were associated with dioxide (P=0.005), vapor (P=0.004), matter an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 microm (PM(2.5)) (P=0.04), elemental carbon (P=0.007), even after adjustment several potential confounders effect modifiers. Associations also observed measures. Exposure pollutants clinically statistically significant attained at age For example, estimated proportion 18-year-old subjects low (defined as ratio expected 80 percent) 4.9 times great highest level PM(2.5) lowest (7.9 vs. 1.6 percent, P=0.002).The results study indicate current levels have chronic, adverse effects on years, leading reach adulthood.