The effect of exposure to ambient air pollutants and aeroallergens on the respiratory health of asthmatics

The effect of daily exposure to combined allergens, pollutants and other environmental factors on respiratory health was studied in an area expected to have low concentrations of chemical pollutants and abundant aeroallergens. A panel of 44 asthmatic subjects living in the vicinity of East Moline, Illinois, recorded twice-daily peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) and incidence of respiratory symptoms, and daily frequency of asthma attacks and asthma medication use between April and October, 1994. Daily concentrations of ozone, sulfur dioxide, and numerous pollens and mold spores were obtained along with meteorological data. Pollutant concentrations were well below ambient air quality standards maximum 24-hour average ozone and sulfur dioxide concentrations were 61.71 ppb and 27.25 ppb, respectively. Total pollen and mold spore counts reached maximum levels of 2500 grains/m...