Cardio-Respiratory Effects of Air Pollution in a Panel Study of Outdoor Physical Activity and Health in Rural Older Adults
- DOI
- Language of the publication
- English
- Date
- 2017-04-12
- Type
- Article
- Author(s)
- Stieb, David M.
- Shutt, Robin
- Kauri, Lisa
- Mason, Sarah
- Chen, Li
- Szyszkowicz, Mieczyslaw
- Dobbin, Nina A.
- Rigden, Marc
- Jovic, Branka
- Mulholland, Marie
- Green, Martin S.
- Liu, Ling
- Pelletier, Guillaume
- Weichenthal, Scott A.
- Dales, Robert E.
- Luginaah, Isaac
- Publisher
- Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Abstract
Objective: To examine cardio-respiratory effects of air pollution in rural older adults exercising outdoors. Methods: Adults 55 and over completed measurements of blood pressure, peak expiratory flow and oximetry daily, and of heart rate variability, endothelial function, spirometry, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide and urinary oxidative stress markers weekly, before and after outdoor exercise, for 10 weeks. Data were analyzed using linear mixed effect models. Results: Pooled estimates combining 2013 (n = 36 participants) and 2014 (n = 41) indicated that an interquartile increase in the air quality health index (AQHI) was associated with a significant (P < 0.05) increase in heart rate (2.1%) and significant decreases in high frequency power (−19.1%), root mean square of successive differences (−9.5%), and reactive hyperemia index (−6.5%). Conclusions: We observed acute subclinical adverse effects of air pollution in rural older adults exercising outdoors.
Plain language summary
Health Canada is responsible for communicating health risks of air pollution as part of the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda. The main tool for this purpose is the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). The AQHI was developed using data from large cities and there are questions whether it as accurately predicts health risks in smaller cities and rural areas. Health Canada conducted this study in Prince George BC to answer this question. In the winters of 2014 and 2015, 70 participants spent approximately 1 ½ hours per day for 10 weeks recording activities, lung function, blood pressure and blood oxygen before and after 30 minutes of mild activity, and once per week underwent testing for heart rate variability, endothelial function, lung function and exhaled nitrogen oxide. The study found short term adverse effects on heart and lung function with increases in the AQHI, as well as benefits to the heart and lungs over the duration of the study from daily outdoor physical activity. These findings suggest that older adults living in smaller cities and rural areas benefit from daily light outdoor physical activity in winter, but may also benefit from reducing outdoor activity when the AQHI is particularly high in order to reduce short term adverse effects on the heart and lungs. Additional analysis is needed to better understand at what levels of the AQHI residents should reduce outdoor activity while maintaining the benefits of regular activity. This study was conducted in collaboration with the Fraser Basin Council.
Subject
- Health,
- Health and safety