Prospective evaluation of respiratory health benefits from reduced exposure to airborne particulate matter

We aimed to investigate if short-term exposure to reduced particulate matter (PM) air pollution would affect respiratory function in healthy adults. We followed a cohort of 42 healthy participants from a community afflicted with severe PM air pollution to a substantially less polluted area for nine days. We measured daily airborne PM [with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5m (PM2.5) and 10m (PM10)] and PM2.5 carbon component concentrations. Five repeated respiratory function measurements and fractional exhaled nitric oxide test were made for each participant. Associations between respiratory health and PM exposure were assessed using linear mixed models. Each 10g/m(3) decrease in same-day PM2.5 was associated with small but consistent increase in the forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) (9.00mL) and forced vital capacity (14.35mL). Our observations indicate that respiratory health benefits can be achieved even after a short-term reduction of exposure to PM. Our results provide strong evidence for more rigorous air pollution controls for the health benefit of populations.