[Analysis of pulmonary function of primary students living in air pollution areas]

Abstract

Objective: To explore the changes of lung function of primary students living in the regions of different air pollution.

Methods: Nanshan District and Longgang District were decided respectively as a relatively heavy air pollution region and as a relatively light air pollution region in Shenzhen according to their air pollutant concentrations. The daily monitoring values on atmospheric SO2, NO2, PM10 and CO from 2006 to 2008 in the two districts were collected. PM2.5 monthly monitoring was started in Jan. 2008. Pulmonary functions of primary students were performed in the two schools within the scope of the surrounding 3km of the PM2.5 monitoring points.

Results: Average concentrations of atmospheric SO2, NO2, CO, PM10 and PM2.5 in Nanshan District were more high than those in Longgang District. Their concentrations were 0.0285 mg/m3 vs 0.0227 mg/m3, 0.0649 mg/m3 vs 0.0473 mg/m3, 2.278 mg/m3 vs 1.478 mg/m3, 0.0724 mg/m3 vs 0.0713 mg/m3 and 0.0665 mg/m3 vs 0.0524 mg/m3 (P < 0.05) respectively except PM10. Levels of the key indicators of lung function (VC, VC%, FVC, FVC%, MVV, MVV%, FEV1.0, FEV1.0/FVC, PEF, PEF%, FEF25, FEF50 and FEF75) increased with ages in the primary students. Means of the most indicators in Nanshan District were higher than those in primary students in Longgang District. Significant difference existed in the same grade of students on lung function in the two regions (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Air pollution could affect pulmonary function of primary students.