Associations between Daily Ambient Air Pollution and Pulmonary Function, Asthma Symptom Occurrence, and Quick-Relief Inhaler Use among Asthma Patients

Particulate matter (PM) is harmful to human health, especially for people with asthma. The goal of this study was to enhance the knowledge about the short-term effects of daily air concentrations of PM on health outcomes among asthma patients. The novelty of this study was the inclusion of a homogeneous group of patients (N = 300) with diagnosed and partly controlled asthma. Patients recorded their symptoms, asthma quick-relief inhaler use, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements in a diary for two weeks. Data on particulate air pollution were obtained from stationary monitoring stations. We have shown that particulate pollutants (PM10 and PM2.5) are associated with significant deterioration of PEF and an increase in the frequency of early asthma symptoms, as well as asthma quick-relief inhaler use. These effects are observed not only on the day of exposure, but also on the following day. For public health practice, these results support the rationale for using peak-flow meters as necessary devices for proper asthma self-management and control, especially in locations where the air is polluted with particles. This may decrease the number of asthma patients seeking medical help.