title: Acute lung function responses to ambient acid aerosol exposures in children.
abstract: We examined the relationship between lung function changes and ambient acid aerosol episodes in children attending a residential summer camp. Young females (112) performed daily spirometry, and 96 were assessed on one occasion for airway hyperresponsiveness using a methacholine bronchoprovocation test. Air quality measurements were performed on site and four distinct acid aerosol episodes were observed during the 41-day study. The maximum values observed during the 41-day study were: O3 at 143 ppb; H2SO4 at 47.7 micrograms/m3; and [H+] at 550 nmole/m3. Maximum decrements of 3.5 and 7% for FEV1 and PEF, respectively, were observed to be associated with the air pollution episodes. There was some evidence of a differential lung function response to the episodes where children with a positive response to a methacholine challenge had larger decrements compared to their nonresponsive counterparts.
authors.affiliation: Department of National Health and Welfare, Health Protection Branch, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Raizenne
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Spengler
mesh_terms: D015258:Acid Rain / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000293:Adolescent; D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects; D010316:Particle Size; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D013431:Sulfates / Q000009:adverse effects; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D015258:Acid Rain; D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D013431:Sulfates; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D010126:Ozone; C033158:sulfuric acid