Association of long-term indoor exposure to fine particles with pulmonary effects in Northern Taiwan

Li-Te Chang; I-Jung Liu; Ta-Yuan Chang; Gui-Bing Hong; Lian-Yu Lin; Hsiao-Chi Chuang; Kin-Fai Ho; Kai-Jen Chuang

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153097

Association of long-term indoor exposure to fine particles with pulmonary effects in Northern Taiwan

Sci Total Environ. 2022 May 15:821:153097. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153097. Epub 2022 Jan 15.

Authors

Li-Te Chang¹, I-Jung Liu², Ta-Yuan Chang³, Gui-Bing Hong⁴, Lian-Yu Lin⁵, Hsiao-Chi Chuang⁶, Kin-Fai Ho⁷, Kai-Jen Chuang⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
² Department of Nursing, College of Health and Nursing, National Quemoy University, Kinmen County, Taiwan.
³ Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁶ School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁷ School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁸ The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: kjc@tmu.edu.tw.

PMID: 35041956
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153097

Abstract

An association between short-term indoor exposure to fine particles (PM_2.5) and acute respiratory effects has been reported. It is still unclear whether long-term indoor exposure to PM_2.5 is associated with pulmonary events. This study recruited 1023 healthy adult homeworkers to conduct a prospective observational study from 2010 to 2021. Four repeated home visits per year were conducted for each participant to measure 24-hour PM_2.5 and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and to collect blood samples for absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) analysis. Additionally, a questionnaire related to personal characteristics, health status and home characteristics was conducted for each participant. The mixed-effects models showed a significant association of PM_2.5 with increased CEA and AEC and decreased % predicted PEFR. No significant association between low-level PM_2.5 exposure (10-year mean level < 10 μg/m³) and adverse pulmonary effects was observed. The present study concluded that long-term indoor exposure to PM_2.5 at a concentration higher than 10 μg/m³ was associated with adverse pulmonary effects among healthy adult homeworkers.

Keywords: Carcinoembryonic antigen; Eosinophil; Indoor exposure; PM(2.5); Peak expiratory flow rate.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

Adult
Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollutants* / toxicity
Air Pollution, Indoor* / analysis
Air Pollution, Indoor* / statistics & numerical data
Environmental Exposure / analysis
Humans
Lung
Particulate Matter / analysis
Particulate Matter / toxicity
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
Taiwan / epidemiology

Substances

Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter