PREVALENCE OF PERSISTENT COUGH AND PHLEGM IN YOUNG-ADULTS IN RELATION TO LONG-TERM AMBIENT SULFUR OXIDE EXPOSURE

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Abstract
A survey of persistent cough and phlegm (PCP) prevalence was conducted in 5623 young adults in 4 Utah [USA] communities. Over the previous 5 yr, community-specific mean SO2 levels had been 11, 18, 36 and 115 .mu.g/m3. Corresponding mean suspended sulfate levels were 5, 7, 8 and 14 .mu.g/m3. No intercommunity exposure gradient of total suspended particulates or suspended nitrates was observed. In smoking mothers, PCP prevalence was 4.2% in the high-exposure community and .apprx. 2.0% in all other communities. In smoking mothers, PCP prevalence was 21.8% inthe high-exposure commumity and .apprx. 15.0% elsewhere. In nonsmoking fathers, PCP prevalence was 8.0% in the high-exposure community and averaged 3.0% elsewhere. In smoking fathers, PCP prevalence was less strongly associated with anbient SO2 exposure. Intercommunity prevalence differences in smoking and nonsmoking mothers, and in nonsmoking fathers, were significant at .alpha. = 0.05. A categorical logistic regression model, testing simultaneously for effects of community and several covariates on PCP prevalence, yielded similar results. The results of this survey were similar to those of a similar survey conducted in Utah in 1970 and to those of other surveys. These results disclose an association of PCP prevalence with ambient sulfur oxide exposure, stronger in mothers than in fathers, stronger in nonsmokers and ex-smokers than in smokers, and stronger in 1970 than 1976.

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