Abstract

Background

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with adverse effects on children’s lung function. Few studies have examined lung function in relation to industrial emissions of air pollutants

Data and methods

This cross-sectional study was based on 2,833 respondents aged 6 to 18 for whom  spirometry data were collected by the Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007 to 2011. The weighted sum of industrial air emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) within 25 km of the respondent’s residence was derived using National Pollutant Release Inventory data. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the relationship between NOx and PM2.5 emissions and forced vital capacity (FVC), the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), and the ratio of the two (FEV1/FVC).

Results

Industrial air emissions of NOx were not significantly associated with lung function among  males or females. Emissions of PM2.5 were negatively associated with FEV1 and FEV1/FVC, but not FVC, among males. PM2.5 was not significantly related to lung function among  females.

Interpretation

The associations that emerged between lung function and industrial emissions of PM2.5 among males were consistent with airway obstruction. Further research is warranted to investigate the gender differences observed in this study.

Keywords

Ambient air pollution, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, National Pollutant Release Inventory, outdoor air pollution

Findings

Lung function is an objective measure of respiratory health and a predictor of cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with adverse effects on children’s lung function. These pollutants include, but are not limited to, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine (less than 25 micrometres in diameter) particulate matter (PM2.5). [Full Text]

Authors

Suzy L. Wong (suzy.wong@canada.ca) is with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada.  Allan L. Coates is with the Hospital for Sick Children.  Teresa To is with the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto.

Start of text box

 

What is already known on this subject?

  • Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution, such as fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, has been associated with adverse effects on children’s lung function.
  • Few studies have examined lung function in relation to industrial emissions of air pollutants.

What does this study add?

  • The National Pollutant Release Inventory, Canada's legislated, publicly accessible inventory of pollutant releases, was used as a source of data for industrial air emissions.
  • At ages 6 to 18, a significant association between industrial air emissions of fine particulate matter and lung function was apparent for males, but not females.

End of text box

Date modified: