Respiratory Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure During Cycling in Three Chinese Cities

Abstract

Cycling to work has been promoted as a green commute in many countries. However, cyclists can be exposed to elevated air pollution, causing adverse health effects. Twenty-five healthy adults cycled on specified routes in three Chinese cities during four periods of a day. Lung function measures were collected immediately before and after cycling. Real-time particulate matter (PM) and the particle number count (PNC) with different sizes were measured, while data of ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO) levels were obtained from the nearest monitoring stations. Results from mixed-effect models indicate that an interquartile increase in particulate matter consisting of fine particles was associated with a significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC). Interquartile increases in the 99th percentile of PNC for fine particles also had significant negative associations with FVC.

Percentage change from baseline lung function measures for the three cities