The relationship between particulate matter and lung function of children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Wenjing Zhang; Runmei Ma; Yanwen Wang; Ning Jiang; Yi Zhang; Tiantian Li

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119735

The relationship between particulate matter and lung function of children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Environ Pollut. 2022 Sep 15:309:119735. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119735. Epub 2022 Jul 7.

Authors

Wenjing Zhang¹, Runmei Ma², Yanwen Wang², Ning Jiang², Yi Zhang², Tiantian Li³

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211100, China; China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population, Health Chinese Center for Disease, China.
² China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population, Health Chinese Center for Disease, China.
³ School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211100, China; China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population, Health Chinese Center for Disease, China. Electronic address: litiantian@nieh.chinacdc.cn.

PMID: 35810981
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119735

Abstract

There have been many studies on the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and lung function. However, the impact of short-term or long-term PM_2.5 exposures on lung function in children is still inconsistent globally, and the reasons for the inconsistency of the research results are not clear. Therefore, we searched the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases up to May 2022, and a total of 653 studies about PM_2.5 exposures on children's lung function were identified. Random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the combined effects of the 25 articles included. PM_2.5 concentrations in short-term exposure studies mainly come from individual and site monitoring. And for every 10 μg/m³ increase, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) decreased by 21.39 ml (95% CI: 13.87, 28.92), 25.66 ml (95% CI: 14.85, 36.47) and 1.76 L/min (95% CI: 1.04, 2.49), respectively. The effect of PM_2.5 on lung function has a lag effect. For every 10 μg/m³ increase in the 1-day moving average PM_2.5 concentration, FEV₁, FVC and PEF decreased by 14.81 ml, 15.40 ml and 1.18 L/min, respectively. PM_2.5 concentrations in long-term exposure studies mainly obtained via ground monitoring stations. And for every 10 μg/m³ increase, FEV₁, FVC and PEF decreased by 61.00 ml (95% CI: 25.80, 96.21), 54.47 ml (95% CI: 7.29, 101.64) and 10.02 L/min (95% CI: 7.07, 12.98), respectively. The sex, body mass index (BMI), relative humidity (RH), temperature (Temp) and the average PM_2.5 exposure level modify the relationship between short-term PM_2.5 exposure and lung function. Our study provides further scientific evidence for the deleterious effects of PM_2.5 exposures on children's lung function, suggesting that exposure to PM_2.5 is detrimental to children's respiratory health. Appropriate protective measures should be taken to reduce the adverse impact of air pollution on children's health.

Keywords: Children; Long-term; Lung function; Meta-analysis; PM(2.5); Short-term.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollutants* / toxicity
Air Pollution* / adverse effects
Air Pollution* / analysis
Child
Environmental Exposure / analysis
Humans
Lung
Particulate Matter / analysis
Vital Capacity

Substances

Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter