Environmental and Occupational Short-Term Exposure to Airborne Particles and FEV1 and FVC in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Oct 9;18(20):10571. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182010571.

Abstract

Background: No study has compared the respiratory effects of environmental and occupational particulate exposure in healthy adults.

Methods: We estimated, by a systematic review and meta-analysis, the associations between short term exposures to fine particles (PM2.5 and PM4) and certain parameters of lung function (FEV1 and FVC) in healthy adults.

Results: In total, 33 and 14 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and meta-analyses, respectively. In environmental studies, a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with an FEV1 reduction of 7.63 mL (95% CI: -10.62 to -4.63 mL). In occupational studies, an increase of 10 µg/m3 in PM4 was associated with an FEV1 reduction of 0.87 mL (95% CI: -1.36 to -0.37 mL). Similar results were observed with FVC.

Conclusions: Both occupational and environmental short-term exposures to fine particles are associated with reductions in FEV1 and FVC in healthy adults.

Keywords: environmental exposures; healthy adults; lung function; occupational exposures; particulate matter; short-term.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • Air Pollution* / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Humans
  • Lung
  • Particulate Matter / analysis
  • Respiratory Function Tests

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Particulate Matter