Risk of bronchi obstruction among non-smokers—Review of environmental factors affecting bronchoconstriction

• Pulmonary function was tested in people living close to busy roads.
• People living close to urban busy roads have lower values of spirometric parameters compared with rural inhabitants.
• We identified the environmental parameters that influence pulmonary function of non-smokers.
• Traffic-related air pollutants reduce respiratory function.

In order to find relationship between exposure to traffic and traffic-related air pollutants, pulmonary function tests and a detailed questionnaire were conducted among 3997 selected inhabitants of Warsaw (Poland) and 988 residents of rural areas. Advanced statistical analyses (including GRM models, correspondence analysis and parametrical tests) have been completed.Statistically significant differences between average percentages of predicted values of pulmonary function parameters were found. Among urban area inhabitants the values of FEV1, MEF50 and FEV1/FVC were statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower compared with the residents of rural areas (in the non-smoking group this differences were strong (p < 0.001)). General linear regression models indicated that residence in the vicinity of urban busy roads fosters a decrease of spirometric parameters. Physical activity however has a positive effect on pulmonary function (exemplified by FEV1) and allows to reduce part of the negative health effects of traffic-related emissions.The results of the presented study demonstrate that long-term residence under the influence of heavy traffic and high concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants reduces respiratory function parameters, which may result in increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness.