Hwang Jiyoung, Saikawa Eri, Avramov Alexander, Chen Siran, Shelly Sandeep, Altartoor Khaled, Bowen Tomorrow, Luthra Munish, Dixit Adviteeya N, Klein Adam M
Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Environ Int. 2025 Jul;201:109560. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109560. Epub 2025 May 28.
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is a major environmental health concern, particularly for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, research examining how PM exposure and lifestyle influence disease severity remains limited. This study aimed to assess personal PM exposure levels and analyze its chemical composition among COPD patients in Atlanta, Georgia, along with investigating the association between exposure levels, lifestyles, and lung functions. We enrolled 28 COPD patients, and a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) was performed prior to the exposure measurement. Personal PM exposure was measured over a 24-hour period using MicroPEM, followed by a survey to assess participants' lifestyle and track their daily activities. Concentrations of PM and 33 inorganic elements were quantified and Black Carbon (BC), Brown Carbon (BrC) and Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) were estimated from filter-based optical measurements. Associations between pollutant exposure, lifestyle factors, and lung function were evaluated using multivariable linear regression. PM levels ranged from 1.81 to 154.48 µg/m, showing substantial individual variability. Window opening hours were associated with increased levels of PM, BC, Br, K, and S, while smoking was correlated with elevated ETS, Ca, and K. Time spent outdoors was linked to higher Cu and Ti, while cooking duration was associated with elevated Na and Ca. In addition, BC and K showed negative associations with Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), indicating potential impact on lung function. These findings highlight the importance of considering both lifestyle factors and PM composition in developing strategies to reduce exposure and mitigate lung function impacts.
接触细颗粒物（PM）是一个主要的环境卫生问题，对于慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者而言尤其如此。然而，关于PM暴露和生活方式如何影响疾病严重程度的研究仍然有限。本研究旨在评估佐治亚州亚特兰大市COPD患者的个人PM暴露水平并分析其化学成分，同时调查暴露水平、生活方式与肺功能之间的关联。我们招募了28名COPD患者，并在暴露测量之前进行了肺功能测试（PFT）。使用MicroPEM在24小时内测量个人PM暴露，随后进行一项调查以评估参与者的生活方式并跟踪他们的日常活动。对PM和33种无机元素的浓度进行了定量，并通过基于滤膜的光学测量估算了黑碳（BC）、棕碳（BrC）和环境烟草烟雾（ETS）。使用多变量线性回归评估污染物暴露、生活方式因素与肺功能之间的关联。PM水平范围为1.81至154.48微克/立方米，显示出显著的个体差异。开窗时间与PM、BC、Br、K和S水平升高相关，而吸烟与ETS、Ca和K升高相关。在户外花费的时间与较高的Cu和Ti相关，而烹饪时间与Na和Ca升高相关。此外，BC和K与用力肺活量（FVC）呈负相关，表明对肺功能有潜在影响。这些发现凸显了在制定减少暴露和减轻肺功能影响的策略时考虑生活方式因素和PM成分的重要性。
