| Metals in Particulate Pollutants Affect Peak Expiratory Flow of Schoolchildren Yun-Chul Hong,1,2 Seung-Sik Hwang,1 Jin Hee Kim,1 Kyoung-Ho Lee,1,2 Hyun-Jung Lee,3 Kwan-Hee Lee,4 Seung-Do Yu,5 and Dae-Seon Kim5 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 2Institute of Environmental Health, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Seoul National University School of Public Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 4Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea; 5Division of Environmental Epidemiology, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea Abstract
Background: The contribution of the metal components of particulate pollutants to acute respiratory effects has not been adequately evaluated. Moreover, little is known about the effects of genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolism on pulmonary function. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess lung function decrement associated with metal components in particulate pollutants and genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1. Methods: We studied 43 schoolchildren who were in the 3rd to 6th grades. Each student measured peak expiratory flow rate three times a day for 42 days. Particulate air concentrations were monitored every day, and the concentrations of iron, manganese, lead, zinc, and aluminum in the particles were measured. Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 genetic polymorphisms were determined using DNA extracted from participant buccal washings. We used a mixed linear regression model to estimate the association between peak expiratory flow rate and particulate air pollutants. Results: We found significant reduction in the peak expiratory flow rate after the children's exposure to particulate pollutants. The effect was shown most significantly 1 day after exposure to the ambient particles. Manganese and lead in the particles also reduced the peak expiratory flow rate. Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 did not significantly affect peak expiratory flow rate. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that particulate pollutants and metals such as manganese and lead in the particles are associated with a decrement of peak expiratory flow rate. These effects were robust even with consideration of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase. Key words: air pollution, genetic polymorphism, lung function, metals, particles. Environ Health Perspect 115:430–434 (2007) . doi:10.1289/ehp.9531 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 11 December 2006]
Address correspondence to Y.-C. Hong, Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea. Telephone: +82-2-740-8394. Fax: +82-2-747-4830. E-mail: ychong1@snu.ac.kr This study was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant no. 02-PJ1-PG1-CH03-0001) . The authors declare they have no competing financial interests. Received 20 July 2006 ; accepted 11 December 2006.
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