title: Acute changes in lung function associated with proximity to a steel plant: a randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Steel production is a major industry worldwide yet there is relatively little information on the pulmonary effects of air quality near steel manufacturing plants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine how lung function changes acutely when healthy subjects are situated near a steel plant which is adjacent to a residential area.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one subjects were randomly assigned to spend 5 consecutive, 8-hour days in a residential neighborhood approximately 0.9km from a steel plant, or approximately 4.5km away at a college campus. Subjects crossed-over between sites after a nine-day washout period. Lung function was measured daily at both sites along with air pollutants including SO2, NO2, O3, PM2.5, and ultrafine particles. Diffusion capacity and pulse oximetry were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the college site, the forced expiratory volume in 1-second/forced vital capacity, forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the FVC, total lung capacity, functional residual capacity, and residual volume were lower near the steel plant by 0.67% (95% CI: 0.28, 1.06),1.62% (95% CI: 0.50, 2.75), 1.54% (95% CI: 0.68, 2.39), 3.54% (95% CI: 1.95, 5.13) and 11.3% (95% CI: 4.92, 17.75), respectively. Diffusion capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1s, and pulse oximetry were also lower near the plant but these effects were not statistically significant. Sulfur dioxide, ultrafine particulates, and oxides of nitrogen were greater near the steel plant site compared to the college site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spending short periods of time near a steel plant is associated with a decrease in lung function.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada. R.Dales@hc-sc.gc.ca
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dales
authors.forename: Lisa Marie
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kauri
authors.forename: Sabit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: Mamun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Weichenthal
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Ryswyk
authors.forename: Premkumari
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumarathasan
authors.forename: Errol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Renaud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Broad
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D013232:Steel; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D013232:Steel; D010126:Ozone; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide