Outdoor air pollutants exposure associated with pulmonary function and EBC pH value in atopic asthmatic and non-asthmatic children

Abstract

Objective

Air pollution is associated with the prevalence of respiratory diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of outdoor air pollutants and indoor Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 1 (Der p 1) exposure on levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH, and pulmonary function in atopic children.

Methods

This study recruited 59 atopic mild-to-moderate asthmatic children and 23 atopic non-asthmatic children. Data on personal characteristics, FeNO, EBC pH, and pulmonary function were collected. Group 1 allergens of Der p 1 were measured on the tops of mattresses and on bedroom floors in the children’s homes, and outdoor air pollutant concentrations were estimated from air quality monitoring stations, using the ordinary kriging method.

Results

Exposure levels of outdoor air pollutants, except for particulate matter (PM)_2.5, for the recruited children met outdoor air quality standards set by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency. The lag effect of outdoor PM₁₀ exposure was negatively associated with the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) [(Lag 1: β=–0.771, p = 0.028), and O₃ (Lag 1–7: β=–2.02, p = 0.04, Lag 1–28: β=–3.213, p = 0.029)]. Median pulmonary function parameters differed significantly in forced vital capacity (FVC) (p = 0.004) and FEV₁ (p = 0.024) values between atopic asthmatic and non-asthmatic children. No association was found between the FeNO/EBC pH level and exposure to Der p 1 allergen and air pollutants in the recruited children.

Conclusions

Outdoor PM₁₀ and O₃ exposure was associated with reduction in FEV₁ in atopic asthmatic and non-asthmatic children.

Keywords:

• Atopy
• asthma
• air pollution
• fractional exhaled nitric oxide
• exhaled breath condensate pH

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Taiwan, for financially supporting this research under grants CMRPD3E0351 and BMRP441.