Table 4

Large PEF decrements, COPD exacerbations and PEF exacerbations*

PollutantOR (unit change) (95% CI)p ValueEstimate (per IQR change)
Large PEF decrements
 NO2 (ppb)1.000 (0.995 to 1.004)0.8440.994
 O3 (ppb)0.996 (0.989 to 1.004)0.3620.950
 SO2 (ppb)1.001 (0.988 to 1.014)0.8901.006
 PM10 (μg/m3)0.999 (0.995 to 1.003)0.7120.985
 Black smoke (μg/m3)1.001 (0.991 to 1.011)0.8511.009
COPD exacerbations
 NO2 (ppb)1.002 (0.996 to 1.008)0.4691.032
 O3 (ppb)1.005 (0.987 to 1.023)0.5981.070
 SO2 (ppb)1.002 (0.982 to 1.022)0.8781.010
 PM10 (μg/m3)1.004 (0.998 to 1.010)0.2341.075
 Black smoke (μg/m3)1.003 (0.994 to 1.013)0.4971.029
Symptomatic fall in PEF
 NO2 (ppb)1.004 (0.999 to 1.009)0.1371.058
 O3 (ppb)1.002 (0.984 to 1.020)0.8401.026
 SO2 (ppb)1.004 (0.987 to 1.022)0.6221.026
 PM10 (μg/m3)1.006 (1.001 to 1.012)0.0291.124
 Black smoke (μg/m3)1.007 (1.000 to 1.014)0.0501.066
  • * In addition to individual pollutants (previous day), each model includes outdoor temperature (average of the minimum and maximum) and season (four categories) plus control for autocorrelation.

  • ORs are for a 1 unit change in pollutant level (ppb for NO2, O3, SO2; μg/m3 for PM10, black smoke).

  • ORs are for an IQR change in pollutant level.

  • COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; PEF, peak expiratory flow; PM, particulate matter.