Spirometry Alteration Due to Exposure to Atmospheric Pollutants in Rural Homes in Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract This study was aimed to determine the association between the concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO) and black carbon (BC) within the home and alterations in respiratory function in a population living in rural dwellings in the districts of Usme and Sumapaz in Bogotá, Colombia. Cross-sectional study that recruited people from the rural area of Bogotá. In total, 68 participants were recruited by non-random sampling. Indoor air monitoring of PM2.5, BC and CO were carried out. Additionally, a pulmonary function evaluation was performed using spirometry. Pulmonary function variables were included in a multiple linear regression by successive steps, adjusted in terms of the main variables described as modifiers of the values in spirometry, these are: age, height, sex and history of tobacco use. Assumptions of multicollinearity and randomization of variances in the residuals were evaluated. Negative associations were found between spirometry parameters and the concentration of indoor air pollutants. For FEV1 / FVC and theoretical FEV1 there was a statistically significant association with the concentration of carbon monoxide (p = 0.003 and 0.019). Environmental concentrations were higher in homes where biomass is used for cooking these differences were only statistically significant for BC and CO (p = 0.008 and 0.03 respectively). Carbon monoxide concentrations in rural homes caused alterations in respiratory function.