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

Objectives: To explore the health effects of indoor/outdoor carbonaceous compositions in PM 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 (FEV) were measured among 37 healthy students in the morning and evening for four two-week periods. Concurrent concentrations of indoor and outdoor PM (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5μm), carbonaceous components in PM, 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 μg/m increase of indoor and outdoor EC (elemental carbon) associated with -3.93 (95%: -6.89, -0.97) L/min and -3.21 (95%: -5.67, -0.75) L/min change in evening PEF at lag 0 day, respectively. Also, a 10 μg/m increase of indoor and outdoor POC (primary organic carbon) concentration was significantly associated with -5.82 (95%: -10.82, -0.81) L/min and -7.32 (95%: -12.93, -1.71) L/min change of evening PEF at lag 0 day. After adjusting total mass of PM, indoor EC consistently had a significant adverse impact on evening PEF and FEV at lag3 day and a cumulative effect at lag0-3 day.

Conclusions: This study suggests that carbonaceous components in PM indeed have impacts on pulmonary function among healthy young adults especially on evening PEF. Thus, the local mitigation strategies on pollution are needed.