Floor Borlée1,2, C Joris Yzermans2, Bernadette Aalders3, Jos Rooijackers3, Esmeralda Krop1, Catharina B M Maassen4, François Schellevis2,5, Bert Brunekreef1,6, Dick Heederik1, Lidwien A M Smit1. 1. 1 Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. 2. 2 Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands. 3. 3 Netherlands Expertise Centre for Occupational Respiratory Disorders, Utrecht, the Netherlands. 4. 4 Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands. 5. 5 Department of General Practice & Elderly Care Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and. 6. 6 Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Livestock farm emissions may not only affect respiratory health of farmers but also of neighboring residents. OBJECTIVES: To explore associations between spatial and temporal variation in pollutant emissions from livestock farms and lung function in a general, nonfarming, rural population in the Netherlands. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2,308 adults (age, 20-72 yr). A pulmonary function test was performed measuring prebronchodilator and post-bronchodilator FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF). Spatial exposure was assessed as (1) number of farms within 500 m and 1,000 m of the home, (2) distance to the nearest farm, and (3) modeled annual average fine dust emissions from farms within 500 m and 1,000 m of the home address. Temporal exposure was assessed as week-average ambient particulate matter <10 μm in diameter and ammonia (NH3) concentrations before lung function measurements. Data were analyzed with generalized additive models (smoothing). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A negative association was found between the number of livestock farms within a 1,000-m buffer from the home address and MMEF, which was more pronounced in participants without atopy. No associations were found with other spatial exposure variables. Week-average particulate matter <10 μm in diameter and NH3 levels were negatively associated with FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and MMEF. In a two-pollutant model, only NH3 remained associated. A 25-μg/m3 increase in NH3 was associated with a 2.22% lower FEV1 (95% confidence interval, -3.69 to -0.74), FEV1/FVC of -1.12% (-1.96 to -0.28), and MMEF of -5.67% (-8.80 to -2.55). CONCLUSIONS: Spatial and temporal variation in livestock air pollution emissions are associated with lung function deficits in nonfarming residents.
RATIONALE: Livestock farm emissions may not only affect respiratory health of farmers but also of neighboring residents. OBJECTIVES: To explore associations between spatial and temporal variation in pollutant emissions from livestock farms and lung function in a general, nonfarming, rural population in the Netherlands. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2,308 adults (age, 20-72 yr). A pulmonary function test was performed measuring prebronchodilator and post-bronchodilator FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF). Spatial exposure was assessed as (1) number of farms within 500 m and 1,000 m of the home, (2) distance to the nearest farm, and (3) modeled annual average fine dust emissions from farms within 500 m and 1,000 m of the home address. Temporal exposure was assessed as week-average ambient particulate matter <10 μm in diameter and ammonia (NH3) concentrations before lung function measurements. Data were analyzed with generalized additive models (smoothing). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A negative association was found between the number of livestock farms within a 1,000-m buffer from the home address and MMEF, which was more pronounced in participants without atopy. No associations were found with other spatial exposure variables. Week-average particulate matter <10 μm in diameter and NH3 levels were negatively associated with FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and MMEF. In a two-pollutant model, only NH3 remained associated. A 25-μg/m3 increase in NH3 was associated with a 2.22% lower FEV1 (95% confidence interval, -3.69 to -0.74), FEV1/FVC of -1.12% (-1.96 to -0.28), and MMEF of -5.67% (-8.80 to -2.55). CONCLUSIONS: Spatial and temporal variation in livestock air pollution emissions are associated with lung function deficits in nonfarming residents.
Entities:
Keywords:
air pollution; livestock farm; lung function; residents; respiratory health
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