SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF LOW-LEVEL WINTER POLLUTION ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH OF ASTHMATIC ADULTS

We studied the short-term effects of Paris winter air pollution (i.e., sulfur dioxide, Black Smoke, suspended particulates with an aerodynam ic diameter close to 10 mu m, and nitrogen dioxide) in 40 nonsmoking m ild to moderate asthmatics (52% male; mean age 46 y; 90% treated with inhaled steroids). During a 6-mo period, subjects recorded asthma symp toms and three daily peak expiratory flow measurements. Statistical an alysis (i.e., generalized estimating equation models that accounted fo r autocorrelation of responses, weather data, and time trends) reveale d consistent and significant associations between the pollutants and a sthma attacks and symptoms in the entire study group, especially in th e subgroup of individuals who took inhaled beta 2 agonists as needed. Pollutants correlated negatively with morning peak expiratory flow in the subgroup that took inhaled beta 2 agonists as needed, and they cor related positively with daily variability in asthmatics who received r egularly scheduled inhaled beta 2 agonists. The effects lingered sever al days after exposure occurred. Low-level pollution has consistent me asurable effects on nonsmoking adults who have well-treated mild or mo derate asthma.