Personal exposure to average weekly ultrafine particles, lung function, and respiratory symptoms in asthmatic and non-asthmatic adolescents. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turner, Ashley; Brokamp, Cole; Wolfe, Chris; Reponen, Tiina; Ryan, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 156(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Ultrafine particles -- Asthma -- Exposure monitoring -- Respiratory health -- Lung function; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106740
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Highlights: Ultrafine particles (UFP) cause respiratory health effects including exacerbation of existing asthma due to their size, composition, and respiratory deposition. During a one-week sampling campaign, adolescents with and without asthma completed personal UFP monitoring. Respiratory symptoms were reported using ecological momentary assessment and validated questionnaires. Lung function was measured at the completion of the sampling following ATS/ERS criteria. Median weekly exposure to ultrafine particles was not associated with lung function after covariate adjustment. Median weekly UFP exposure was associated with an increased risk for respiratory symptoms among adolescents with asthma. Abstract: An increasing amount of evidence suggests ultrafine particles (UFPs) are linked to adverse health effects, especially in those with chronic conditions such as asthma, due to their small size and physicochemical characteristics. Toxicological and experimental studies have demonstrated these properties, and the mechanisms by which they deposit and translocate in the body result in increased toxicity in comparison to other air pollutants. However, current epidemiological literature is limited due to exposure misclassification and thus identifying health outcomes associated with UFPs. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between weekly personal UFP exposure with lung function and respiratory symptoms in 117 asthmatic and non-asthmatic adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age in the Cincinnati area. Between 2017 and 2019, participants collected weekly UFP concentrations by sampling for 3 h a day in their home, school, and during transit. In addition, pulmonary function was evaluated at the end of the sampling week, and respiratory symptoms were logged on a mobile phone application. Multivariable linear regression and zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) models were used to estimate the association between personal UFP and respiratory outcomes. The average median weekly UFP exposure of all participants was 4340 particles/cm 3 (p/cc). Results of fully adjusted regression models revealed a negative association between UFPs and percent predicted forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity ratio (%FEV1 /FVC) (β:-0.03, 95% CI [-0.07, 0.02]). Prediction models estimated an association between UFPs and respiratory symptoms, which was greater in asthmatics compared to non-asthmatics. Our results indicate an interaction between asthma status and the likelihood of experiencing respiratory symptoms when exposed to UFPs, indicating an exacerbation of this chronic condition. More research is needed to determine the magnitude of the role UFPs play on respiratory health.