Abstract
Twenty-four asthmatic subjects in Denver were followed from January through March 1979, a three-month period in which Denver air pollution levels are generally high and variable. Dichotomous, virtual impactor samplers provided daily measurements (micrograms/m3) of inhaled particulate matter (total mass, sulfates, and nitrates) for coarse (2.5--15 micrograms in aerodynamic diameter) and fine fractions (less than 2.5 micrometers). Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, temperature, and barometric pressure were also measured. Twice daily measurements of each subject's peak expiratory flow rates, use of as-needed aerosolized bronchodilators, and report of airways obstruction symptoms characteristic of asthma were tested for relationships to air pollutants using a random effects model across subjects. During the time actually observed, there were very few days in which high levels of suspended particulates were recorded. Of the environmental variables studied, only fine nitrates were associated with increased symptom reports and increased aerosolized bronchodilator usage.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Chai H., Farr R. S., Froehlich L. A., Mathison D. A., McLean J. A., Rosenthal R. R., Sheffer A. L., Spector S. L., Townley R. G. Standardization of bronchial inhalation challenge procedures. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1975 Oct;56(4):323–327. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(75)90107-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Jones N. F., Kinsman R. A., Dirks J. F., Dahlem N. W. Psychological contributions to chronicity in asthma: patient response styles influencing medical treatment and its outcome. Med Care. 1979 Nov;17(11):1103–1118. doi: 10.1097/00005650-197911000-00003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kinsman R. A., Dahlem N. W., Spector S., Staudenmayer H. Obervations on subjective symptomatology, coping behavior, and medical decisions is asthma. Psychosom Med. 1977 Mar-Apr;39(2):102–119. doi: 10.1097/00006842-197703000-00005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kinsman R. A., Dirks J. F., Dahlem N. W. Noncompliance to prescribed-as-needed (PRN) medication use in asthma: usage patterns and patient characteristics. J Psychosom Res. 1980;24(2):97–107. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(80)90059-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Korn E. L., Whittemore A. S. Methods for analyzing panel studies of acute health effects of air pollution. Biometrics. 1979 Dec;35(4):795–802. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mitchell R. S., Judson F. N., Moulding T. S., Weiser P., Brock L. L., Kelble D. L., Pollard J. Health effects of urban air pollution. Special consideration of areas at 1,500 m and above. JAMA. 1979 Sep 14;242(11):1163–1168. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Whittemore A. S., Korn E. L. Asthma and air pollution in the Los Angeles area. Am J Public Health. 1980 Jul;70(7):687–696. doi: 10.2105/ajph.70.7.687. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]