title: Associations between ambient PM2.5 concentrations and respiratory symptoms in Melbourne, 1998-2005.
abstract: Particulate matter (PM) has been widely associated with adverse effects on respiratory health, both overseas and in Australia. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of ambient particles of <2.5 microm diameter (PM2.5) in Melbourne on adverse respiratory symptoms. Two cohorts of adults were recruited in 1992-1998, and completed detailed respiratory questionnaires in 1998-1999 and 2004-2005. The mean age at baseline was 37.2 years, 55% were female, and the mean time lapsed between the baseline and follow-up questionnaires was 5.2 years. PM2.5 exposure was assessed from gravimetric data and routine nephelometry at monitoring stations located centrally with respect to the residence of most participants. Daily exposures to PM2.5 were averaged over the previous 12 months and mean daily exposure was 6.8 microg/m3. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between PM2.5 exposure and adverse respiratory symptoms. Adjustment was made for age, gender, current smoking status, and medication use, but further adjustment for atopy did not alter the results. There was insufficient variability in PM2.5 exposure among participants over the study period to provide convincing evidence for or against associations between PM2.5 and adverse respiratory symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Charmian.Bennett@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Charmian M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raven
authors.forename: Billy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skoric
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Rory
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: E Haydn
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Abramson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter