Low levels of air pollution (NO2) and reduced lung function in middle-age

What is it about?

Outdoor air pollution has previously been regarded to contribute to the global morbidity and mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults similar to smoking. However, this concept has been recently challenged by results from routine breathing tests (or spirometry) and high-resolution lung scans as they suggest possible involvement of lung tissue as well as the airways. To extend the understanding of the relationship between residential outdoor air pollution and poorer lung function, we have examined relationships in middle-aged Australians by using two different residential air pollution exposures, and for the first time, comprehensive lung function measures. These approaches have captured two different aspects of outdoor air pollution and have highlighted the complexities of associations. Specifically, we have uncovered a link between higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2, a gaseous air pollutant) and lower ability of the lungs to transfer carbon monoxide gas regardless of smoking history; documented airflow obstruction to be unexpectedly more pronounced in smokers without an extensive history; and, discovered modestly lower lung volumes for never-smokers who lived within 200m of a major road.

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Why is it important?

These novel findings are consistent with the presence of both airway and lung tissue processes and were detected in the relatively low concentrations of air pollutants of Australia.

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