Air pollution and lung function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey

Götschi, T; Sunyer, J; Chinn, S; de Marco, R; Forsberg, B; Gauderman, JW; Garcia-Esteban, R; Heinrich, J; Jacquemin, B; Jarvis, D; Ponzio, M; Villani, S; Künzli, N

HERO ID

180364

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2008

Language

English

PMID

18593748

HERO ID 180364
In Press No
Year 2008
Title Air pollution and lung function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey
Authors Götschi, T; Sunyer, J; Chinn, S; de Marco, R; Forsberg, B; Gauderman, JW; Garcia-Esteban, R; Heinrich, J; Jacquemin, B; Jarvis, D; Ponzio, M; Villani, S; Künzli, N
Journal International Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 37
Issue 6
Page Numbers 1349-1358
Abstract BACKGROUND: The association of long-term air pollution and lung function has not been studied across adult European multi-national populations before. The aim of this study was to determine the association between long-term urban background air pollution and lung function levels, as well as change in lung function among European adults. METHODS:Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and the ratio thereof (FEV1/FVC) were assessed at baseline and after 9 years of follow-up in adults from 21 European centres (followed-up sample 5610). Fine particles (PM(2.5)) were measured in 2000/2001 using central monitors. RESULTS: Despite sufficient statistical power no significant associations were found between city-specific annual mean PM(2.5) and average lung function levels. The findings also do not support an effect on change in lung function, albeit statistical power was insufficient to significantly detect such an association. CONCLUSIONS: The inability to refuse the null hypothesis may reflect (i) no effect of urban air pollution on lung function or (ii) inherent biases due to the study design. Examples of the latter are lack of individual-level air quality assignment, not quantified within-city contrasts in traffic-related pollution, or the heterogeneity of the studied populations and their urban environments. Future studies on long-term effects of air pollution on lung function could increase statistical power and reduce potential misclassification and confounding by characterizing exposure on the level of individuals, capturing contrasts due to local sources, in particular traffic.
Doi 10.1093/ije/dyn136
Pmid 18593748
Wosid WOS:000261461700024
Url https://search.proquest.com/docview/219191717?accountid=171501
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword PM2.5; FEV1; FVC; adults; longitudinal; multilevel
Is Qa No