Short-Term Effects of Carbonaceous Components in PM_2.5 on Pulmonary Function: A Panel Study of 37 Chinese Healthy Adults

• Main Authors: Shichun Huang, Huan Feng, Shanshan Zuo, Jingling Liao, Mingquan He, Masayuki Shima, Kenji Tamura, Yang Li, Lu Ma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: carbonaceous components; fine particulate matter; healthy adults; respiratory function; mixed-effect model
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/13/2259

Objectives: To explore the health effects of indoor/outdoor carbonaceous compositions in PM_2.5 on pulmonary function among healthy students living in the local university campus. Methods: Daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) were measured among 37 healthy students in the morning and evening for four two-week periods. Concurrent concentrations of indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter &#8804; 2.5&#956;m), carbonaceous components in PM_2.5, ambient temperature, and relative humidity in the study area were also obtained. Mixed-effects model was applied to evaluate the associations between carbonaceous components and lung function. Different lags for the carbonaceous components were investigated. Results: In single-pollutant model, a 10 &#956;g/m³ increase of indoor and outdoor EC (elemental carbon) associated with &#8722;3.93 (95%<i>CI</i>: &#8722;6.89, &#8722;0.97) L/min and &#8722;3.21 (95%<i>CI</i>: &#8722;5.67, &#8722;0.75) L/min change in evening PEF at lag 0 day, respectively. Also, a 10 &#956;g/m³ increase of indoor and outdoor POC (primary organic carbon) concentration was significantly associated with &#8722;5.82 (95%<i>CI</i>: &#8722;10.82, &#8722;0.81) L/min and &#8722;7.32 (95%<i>CI</i>: &#8722;12.93, &#8722;1.71) L/min change of evening PEF at lag 0 day. After adjusting total mass of PM_2.5, indoor EC consistently had a significant adverse impact on evening PEF and FEV₁ at lag3 day and a cumulative effect at lag0-3 day. Conclusions: This study suggests that carbonaceous components in PM_2.5 indeed have impacts on pulmonary function among healthy young adults especially on evening PEF. Thus, the local mitigation strategies on pollution are needed.