THE UCLA POPULATION STUDIES OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE RESPIRATORY-DISEASE .4. RESPIRATORY EFFECT OF LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO PHOTOCHEMICAL OXIDANTS, NITROGEN-DIOXIDE, AND SULFATES ON CURRENT AND NEVER SMOKERS

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Abstract
Questionnaires, spirometry and the single-breath N2 test were administered to 3192 participants, 25-39 yr of age, in an area exposed to low concentrations of all pollutants (Lancaster, California [USA]) and to 2369 similar participants living in an area exposed to high concentrations of photochemical oxidants, NO2 and sulfates (Glendora, California). The prevalence of symptoms and results of the majority of the tests were worse in the polluted area between current and never smokers and men and women. Those tests associated primarily with small airways (.ovrhdot.Vmax50 [maximal expiratory flow at 50% vital capacity], .ovrhdot.Vmax75, .DELTA.N2750-1250) [N2 concentration difference in 750-1250 ml expired air] showed little or no difference between areas. The difference in the prevalence of participants with a poor FEV1 [1-s forced expiratory volume] and/or poor FVC [forced vital capacity] and in the mean .ovrhdot.Vmax and closing volume was greater between areas than between smoking categories. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of photochemical oxidants, NO2 and sulfates at place of residence may result in measurable impairment in both current smokers and never-smokers. Firmer documentation of this effect will require following these populations for changes in lung function that correlate with pollutant exposures.