Effects of PM 2.5 and NO 2 on the 8-isoprostane and lung function indices of FVC and FEV 1 in students of Ahvaz city, Iran.

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between PM2.5 and NO2 pollutants and oxidative stress marker (8-isoprostane) and lung function tests (FVC and FEV1 ) in healthy children who were living and studying in three different areas of Ahvaz city including A1 : Naderi site with high traffic, A2 : Alavi Alley site with average traffic, and A3 : Ein 2 site with low traffic (a rural area on the suburb of Ahvaz). 30 students in the 12-13 year-old range were selected from each studied zone (1, 2 and 3 sites) during three months of year. Of each student, one sample was taken every two weeks to measure 8-isoprostane of exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Air pollution data were collected from three air quality monitoring stations. Also, the relationship between air pollution and 8-isoprostane as well as lung function tests were determined using generalized estimating equations (GEE). The mean concentration of PM2.5 and NO2 in A1 , A2 and A3 areas were 116, 92 and 45 (μg/m3 ) also 77, 53 and 14 (ppb) respectively. Among all studied students, there was a significant correlation between the increase of mean concentration of PM2.5 and NO2 in 1-4 before sampling day, increased 8-isoprostane concentration and decreased FEV1 , while there was no significant correlation between them and decreased FVC. In A1 site, an increase in IQR (13 μg/m3 ) PM2.5 and IQR (6.5 ppb) NO2 on 1-4 days before sampling was associated with 0.38 unit (95% CI: 0.11, 0.65) and 1.1 unit (95% CI: 0.85, 1.35) increase in 8-isoprostane concentration, also decreased 121 ml and 190 ml FEV1 , respectively. Results showed that the short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution can decrease the values of lung function indices and increase the oxidative stress. It may adversely affect children's lungs.