UCLA population studies of chronic obstructive respiratory disease. I. Methodology and comparison of lung function in areas of high and low pollution

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5408730

Detels, R; Rokaw, S N; Coulson, A H; Tashkin, D P; Sayre, J W; Massey, Jr, F J

The prevalence of symptoms of chronic obstructive respiratory disease and of functional respiratory impairment was determined in 3465 residents (70 percent of enumerated) of an area historically exposed to photochemical/oxidant pollutants and 4509 residents (79 percent of enumerated) of an area exposed to low levels of chemical pollutants. Tests administered included the NHLI questionnaire, electronic volume spirometry, whole body plethysmography, and the single-breath nitrogen test (..delta..N/sub 2//sub 750-1250/ and closing volume). Cough and cough with sputum were more frequently reported in the low-pollution area. Lung function was better among residents of the low-pollution area according to FEV/sub 1/, FVC, maximal expiratory flow rates, closing volume fraction, thoracic gas volume, and airway resistance. Maximal mid-expiratory flow rate, considered to be a sensitive spirometric test for detection of small airways disease, was similar in residents of both areas. Mean ..delta..N/sub 2//sub 750-1250/ was slightly worse among residents of the low-pollution area. Findings suggest that adverse effects of long-term exposure to photochemical/oxidant pollutants may occur primarily in the larger airways both among smokers and never smokers. The greatest differences between areas were observed in residents 18 to 59 years of age, suggesting that long-term exposure may be required to cause measurable impairment and that these differences may be obliterated by such factors as smoking, differential out-migration and differential survival.

• OSTI ID: 5408730
• Journal Information: Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States) Vol. 109:1; ISSN AJEPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
BODY
COLLOIDS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
LUNGS
ORGANS
PHOTOCHEMICAL OXIDANTS
POLLUTION
POPULATIONS
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SMOKES
SOLS
SYMPTOMS
TOBACCO SMOKES