Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with a higher oxidative potential has been thought to be more detrimental to pulmonary health. We aim to investigate the associations between personal exposure to PM2.5 oxidative potential and pulmonary outcomes in asthmatic children. We measured each of the 43 asthmatic children 4 times for airway mechanics, lung function, airway inflammation, and asthma symptom scores. Coupling measured indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM2.5 mass, constituents, and oxidative potential with individual time-activity data, we calculated 24 h average personal exposures 0-3 days prior to a health outcome measurement. We found that increases in daily personal exposure to PM2.5 oxidative potential were significantly associated with increased small, large, and total airway resistance, increased airway impedance, decreased lung function, and worsened scores of individual asthma symptoms and the total symptom score. Among the PM2.5 constituents, organic matters largely of indoor origin contributed the greatest to PM2.5 oxidative potential. Given that the variability in PM2.5 oxidative potential was a stronger driver than PM2.5 mass for the variability in the respiratory health outcomes, it is suggested to reduce PM2.5 oxidative potential, particularly by reducing the organic matter constituent of indoor PM2.5, as a targeted source control strategy in asthma management.
Keywords: Airway Mechanics; Asthma Management; Asthma Symptoms; Asthmatic Children; Lung Function; PM2.5 Oxidative Potential; Pulmonary Physiology.