F. Neukirch et al., SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF LOW-LEVEL WINTER POLLUTION ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH OF ASTHMATIC ADULTS, Archives of environmental health, 53(5), 1998, pp. 320-328
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.