Neas, L. M.Burge, H.Koutrakis, p.Speizer, F. E.Dockery, Douglas2019-01-141996-04-15Neas, L. M., D. W. Dockery, H. Burge, p. Koutrakis, and F. E. Speizer. 1996. “Fungus Spores, Air Pollutants, and Other Determinants of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Children.” American Journal of Epidemiology 143 (8): 797–807. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a008818.0002-92621476-6256http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:37989556The impact of summertime haze episodes on daily variations in symptoms and peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs) was examined in a study of 108 children living in State College, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1991. Twice daily, each child recorded symptoms, PEFRs, and hours spent outdoors. Environmental measurements included daily 12- and 24-hour averages for meteorologic and air pollutant variables and 24-hour average fungus spore concentrations. A 10,000-spore/m(3) increment in Cladosporium spore concentration was associated with a deficit in morning PEFR (-1.0 liters/minute, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.9 to -0.2). A 60-spore/m(3) increment in Epicoccum spore concentration was associated with increased incidence of morning cough (odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2) and a deficit in morning PEFR (-1.5 liters/minute, 95% CI -2.8 to -0.2). Fungi spore counts were not associated with respirable particle mass. A 125-nmol/m(3) increment in 12-hour daytime particle-strong acidity was associated with a deficit in evening PEFR (-0.5 liters/minute, 95% CI -1.2 to 0.2) and increased incidence of cold episodes that evening or the subsequent morning (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.14-1.61). A 20-mu g/m(3) increment in 24-hour respirable particles lagged by 24 hours was associated with a deficit in evening PEFR (-0.5 liters/minute, 95% CI -1.4 to 0.4) and increased incidence of cough episodes that evening or the subsequent morning (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.13-1.66). These results confirm the acute effects of summertime particulate air pollution and suggest that aeroallergens have independent effects on respiratory symptoms and PEFR in children.en-USJournal Article2019-01-1410.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a008818