Effect of industrial point-source air pollutants on fractional exhaled nitric oxide in healthy volunteers.

Background: Few studies have examined the effects of industrial, fixed-site sources of air pollution on lung inflammation in nearby residents. We investigated the effects of short-term exposure to ambient air near a steel plant on the fractional exhaled concentration of nitric oxide (FeNO), a measure of airway inflammation, in healthy volunteers.
Methods: A cross-over study design was used. Fifty-nine non-smoking participants (mean age 24 years) were randomly assigned to each of two 5-day exposure scenarios: breathing ambient air adjacent to a steel plant or 5 km away at a college campus site. FeNO and on-site air pollutants were measured daily. Mixed effects linear regression models were used for data analysis, adjusting for sex, temperature, humidity and day of week.
Results: Compared with the college site, PM _2.5 , ultrafine PM, SO ₂ , NO ₂ and CO levels were significantly greater near the steel plant. FeNO was 15.3% (95% CI, 6.6%, 24.8%) higher near the plant compared to the college site.
Conclusions: Exposure to ambient air near a steel plant was associated with increased airway inflammation as measured by exhaled nitric oxide.
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