[Effects of airborne fine particulate matter on human respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function].
OBJECTIVE
to explore effects of airborne fine particulate matter exposure on human respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function.


METHODS
one hundred and seven field traffic policemen were recruited as airborne fine particulate matter high-exposure group and one hundred and one male residents as common exposure group. The individual sampler was used to measure fine particulate matter exposure levels of the two groups. To obtain personal information, especially respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, etc. a questionnaire survey was used. The pulmonary ventilation function was detected: forced expiratory vital capacity (FVC), the first 1 second forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0), FVC/FEV1.0% and peak flow values (PEF), and the difference of fine particulate matter exposure level and respiratory function of the two groups was compared.


RESULTS
24 h individual average fine particulate matter exposure concentration of traffic police and residents were respectively (115.4 ± 46.17) microg/m(3) and (74.94 ± 40.09) microg/m(3), the traffic police PM2.5 exposure levels were significantly higher than the residents. In the incidence of respiratory symptoms, compared with high-exposure group and common exposure group, coughing, expectoration, throat unwell, asthma, short of breath and nose discomfort, traffic police group was higher than residents group (P < 0.05). The abnormal rate of lung ventilation function indexes, such as FVC and FEV1.0 was 25.23% and 12.15% respectively in high-exposure group, 11.88% and 2.97% in common exposure group, there was no statistical difference between two groups. Besides, the abnormal rate of FVC and FEV1.0, showed rising trend in high-exposure group with seniority.


CONCLUSIONS
long-term higher levels of airborne fine particulate matter exposure, may impact respiratory health and impair pulmonary function.
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Zhi-Yi
ZY
Gao
Peng-Kun
PK
Li
Jin-Zhuo
JZ
Zhao
Rong-Fang
RF
Jiang
Bin-Jie
BJ
Yang
Min-Hua
MH
Zhang
Wei-Min
WM
Song
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016495:Police; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter