Association of lung function with declining ambient air pollution.
Recent studies have found a declining prevalence of respiratory infections in East German children, along with a tremendous improvement of air pollution since 1990. The present study evaluates the effects of improved air quality on lung function. Three consecutive cross-sectional surveys of schoolchildren ages 11-14 years from three communities in East Germany were performed in 1992-1993, 1995-1996, and 1998-1999. Lung function tests were available from 2,493 children. The annual mean of total suspended particulates (TSP) declined from 79 to 25 micro g/m(3), whereas levels for sulfur dioxide declined from 113 to 6 micro g/m(3). Mean forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV(1)) of the children increased from 1992-1993 to 1998-1999. The adjusted percent change of the geometric mean of FVC was 4.7% for a 50 micro g/m(3) decrease of TSP (p = 0.043) and 4.9% for a decrement of 100 micro g/m(3) SO(2) (p = 0.029). Effects on FEV(1) were smaller and not statistically significant. Our study indicates that a reduction of air pollution in a short time period may improve children's lung function.
Frye
Christian
C
GSF--Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Institut für Epidemiologie, Neuherberg, Germany.
Hoelscher
Bernd
B
Cyrys
Josef
J
Wjst
Matthias
M
Wichmann
H-Erich
HE
Heinrich
Joachim
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis
D000393:Air Pollutants; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide