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Erschienen in:
01.11.2012 | Original Article
Lung function decline and blood lead among residents nearby to industrial complex
Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Ausgabe 8/2012
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Purpose
This study was to ascertain the risk factors of pulmonary function decline (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC]) among those exposed to lead in the vicinity of industrial complex.
Methods
In total, 263 men and women, aged over 30, were recruited from two cities during a 2-year follow-up. Spirometry testing was conducted first at baseline and then after 2-years of follow-up. The change in FVC and FEV1 during the study period was analyzed according to blood lead (BPb), urinary cotinine, and 1-hydroxypyrene, after controlling for sex, height, baseline FVC or FEV1, and airway hyperresponsiveness.
Results
With increase in age, both FEV1 and FVC declined. More marked decline in FVC was noted for men than for women (p < 0.05), while the decline in FEV1 was not. Biological variables, especially height (p < 0.05) and pulmonary status (p < 0.0001), were associated with the decline in both FEV1 and FVC. Even after controlling these other variables, blood lead level was also significantly associated with the decline of FVC.
Conclusions
Even though the decline in FEV1 and FVC with aging was within a normal range, people with smaller height were more vulnerable to the decline of both FEV1 and FVC and especially higher level of BPb was accompanied with larger decline of FVC. Oxidative stress in relation to lead accumulation in adult may contribute to rapid aging of pulmonary function.