CGPH FACULTY: Kirk R Smith
DATE OF PUBLICATION: November 2014
REGION: Latin America
REFERENCE: Pope D, Diaz E, Smith-Sivertsen T, Lie RT, Bakke P, Balmes JR, Smith KR, Bruce NG. Associations of Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function with Measured Carbon Monoxide Concentrations among Nonsmoking Women Exposed to Household Air Pollution: The RESPIRE Trial, Guatemala. Environ Health Perspect. 2014 Nov 14.
SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: With 40% of the World’s population relying on solid fuel, household air pollution (HAP) represents a major preventable risk factor for COPD. Meta-analyses have confirmed this relationship, however constituent studies are observational with virtually none measuring exposure directly. We estimated associations between HAP exposure and respiratory symptoms and lung function in young, non-smoking women in rural Guatemala, using measured CO concentrations in exhaled breath and personal air to assess exposure. Our results provide further support for the effects of HAP exposures on airway inflammation. Further longitudinal research modelling continuous exposure to particulate matter against lung function will help understand more fully the impact of HAP on COPD.
ACCESS: Link to Pubmed