Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Volume 159, Number 3, March 1999, 768-775

A Study of Twelve Southern California Communities with Differing Levels and Types of Air Pollution
II. Effects on Pulmonary Function

JOHN M. PETERS, EDWARD AVOL, W. JAMES GAUDERMAN, WILLIAM S. LINN, WILLIAM NAVIDI, STEPHANIE J. LONDON, HELENE MARGOLIS, EDWARD RAPPAPORT, HITA VORA, HENRY GONG Jr., and DUNCAN C. THOMAS

Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles; Air Resources Board, State of California, Sacramento, California; and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

To study the possible chronic respiratory effects of air pollutants, we designed and initiated a 10-yr prospective study of Southern California public schoolchildren living in 12 communities with different levels and profiles of air pollution. The design of the study, exposure assessment methods, and survey methods and results related to respiratory symptoms and conditions are described in the accompanying paper. Pulmonary function tests were completed on 3,293 subjects. We evaluated cross-sectionally the effects of air pollution exposures based on data collected in 1986-1990 by existing monitoring stations and data collected by our study team in 1994. Expected relationships were seen between demographic, physical, and other environmental factors and pulmonary function values. When the data were stratified by sex, an association was seen between pollution levels and lower pulmonary function in female subjects, with the associations being stronger for the 1994 exposure data than the 1986-1990 data. After adjustment, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and NO₂ were each significantly associated with lower FVC, FEV₁, and maximal midexpiratory flow (MMEF); acid vapor with lower FVC, FEV₁, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and MMEF; and O₃ with lower PEFR and MMEF. Effects were generally larger in those girls spending more time outdoors. Stepwise regression of adjusted pulmonary function values for girls in the 12 communities showed that NO₂ was most strongly associated with lower FVC (r = 0.74, p < 0.01), PM_2.5 with FEV₁ (r = 0.72, p < 0.01), O₃ with PEFR (r = 0.75, p < 0.005), and PM_2.5 with MMEF (r = 0.80, p < 0.005). There was a statistically significant association between ozone exposure and decreased FVC and FEV₁ in girls with asthma. For boys, significant associations were seen between peak O₃ exposures and lower FVC and FEV₁, but only in those spending more time outdoors. These findings underline the importance of follow-up of this cohort.

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