Effects of Ambient Fine Particles on Pulmonary Function in Children With Mild Atopic Dermatitis

• Published in: Archives of environmental & occupational health 2013-10, Vol.68 (4), p.228-234
• Main Authors: Song, Sanghwan, Paek, Domyung, Lee, Kiyoung, Lee, Young-Mi, Lee, Chulwoo, Park, Chunghee, Yu, Seung-Do
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - toxicity; air pollution; atopic dermatitis; Child; children; Dermatitis, Atopic - complications; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Female; fine particles; Humans; Lung - drug effects; Lung - physiology; lung function; Male; Particle Size; Particulate Matter - analysis; Particulate Matter - toxicity; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Republic of Korea; Seasons
• ISSN: 1933-8244; 2154-4700
• DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2012.701247

The effects of particulate pollutants on lung function in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) remain to be determined. The authors investigated the short-term effects of ambient particles on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in 84 children with and without AD. Daily particulates less than 10, 2.5, and 1 μm (PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and PM 1 ) and number concentrations of submicron particles were measured. The authors observed elevated levels of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and PM 1 , and accumulation-mode particles were associated with decreased PEFR in children with AD. The PEFR decrements were −2.89 L/min (95% confidence interval [CI], −4.93 to −0.89) for an interquartile-range increase of previous-day PM 10 , −2.79 L/min (95% CI, −4.89 to −0.69) for PM 2.5 , and −2.71 L/min (95% CI, −4.81 to −0.61) for PM 1 . These results suggest that ambient fine particles may affect the pulmonary function in children with AD. The respiratory health of children with atopic skin disorders renders them more vulnerable to ambient particles than healthy subjects.