Solar and geomagnetic activity reduces pulmonary function and enhances particulate pollution effects

Abstract

Solar and geomagnetic activity reduces pulmonary function and enhances particulate pollution effects Kritika Anand, Carolina L.Z. Vieira, Eric Garshick, Veronica Wang, Annelise Blomberg, Diane R. Gold, Joel Schwartz, Pantel Vokonas, Petros Koutrakis. Solar and geomagnetic activity reduces pulmonary function and enhances particulate pollution effects. Science of The Total Environment. 2022. 156434. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156434. Abstract Background Increased solar and geomagnetic activity (SGA) may alter sympathetic nervous system activity, reduce antioxidant activity, and modulate physiochemical processes that contribute to atmospheric aerosols, all which may reduce pulmonary function. Objectives Investigate associations between forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) with SGA, and assess whether SGA enhances adverse effects of particulate pollution, black carbon (BC) and particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5). Methods We conducted a repeated measures analysis in 726 Normative Aging Study participants (Boston, Massachusetts, USA) between 2000 and 2017, using interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), planetary K index (Kp), and sunspot number (SSN) as SGA measures. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess exposure moving averages up to 28 days for both SGA and pollution. Results Increases in IMF, Kp Index and SSN from the day of the pulmonary function test averaged through day 28 of were associated with a significant decrement in FEV1 and FVC, after adjusting for potential confounders. There were greater effects for longer moving averages and enhanced effects of PM2.5 and BC on FEV1 and FVC with increased SGA. For example, for each inter-quartile increase (4.55 μg/m3) in average PM2.5 28 days before testing, low IMF (10th percentile: 3.2 nT) was associated with a −21.4 ml (95 % CI: −60.8, 18.1) and −7.1 ml (95 % CI: −37.7, 23·4) decrease in FVC and FEV1, respectively; high IMF (90th percentile: 9.0 nT) was associated with a −120.7 ml (95 % CI:-166.5, −74.9) and −78.6 ml (95 % CI: −114.3, −42·8) decrease in FVC and FEV1, respectively. Discussion Increased periods of solar and geomagnetic activity may directly contribute to impaired lung function and also enhance effects of PM2.5 and BC. Since exposure to solar activity is ubiquitous, stricter measures in reducing air pollution exposures are warranted, particularly in elderly populations. Open access paper (until July 30, 2022): authors.elsevier.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In repeated-measures analyses (2000–2017), increases in interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), planetary K index (Kp), and sunspot number (SSN) averaged from the day of pulmonary function testing through 28 days were associated with significant decrements in FEV1 and FVC after adjustment for confounders. Higher solar/geomagnetic activity also enhanced the adverse associations of PM2.5 and black carbon with FEV1 and FVC (example given: larger decreases at high vs low IMF for the same PM2.5 increase).

Outcomes measured

• FEV1
• FVC
• interaction/modification of PM2.5 effects on FEV1 and FVC
• interaction/modification of black carbon (BC) effects on FEV1 and FVC

Limitations

• Observational repeated-measures design; causality cannot be established from the abstract alone
• Exposure metrics are indirect proxies of solar/geomagnetic activity (IMF, Kp, SSN) rather than personal measurements
• Potential residual confounding not fully assessable from abstract
• Population is an aging cohort from one geographic area (Boston), which may limit generalizability

Suggested hubs

• air-pollution-interactions (0.78)
  Assesses whether solar/geomagnetic activity enhances adverse effects of PM2.5 and black carbon on lung function.
• environmental-geomagnetic (0.72)
  Uses IMF, Kp index, and sunspot number as solar/geomagnetic activity exposures related to health outcomes.

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    "study_type": "cohort",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "solar and geomagnetic activity",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "moving averages up to 28 days (day of test through day 28)"
    },
    "population": "Normative Aging Study participants (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)",
    "sample_size": 726,
    "outcomes": [
        "FEV1",
        "FVC",
        "interaction/modification of PM2.5 effects on FEV1 and FVC",
        "interaction/modification of black carbon (BC) effects on FEV1 and FVC"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In repeated-measures analyses (2000–2017), increases in interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), planetary K index (Kp), and sunspot number (SSN) averaged from the day of pulmonary function testing through 28 days were associated with significant decrements in FEV1 and FVC after adjustment for confounders. Higher solar/geomagnetic activity also enhanced the adverse associations of PM2.5 and black carbon with FEV1 and FVC (example given: larger decreases at high vs low IMF for the same PM2.5 increase).",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Observational repeated-measures design; causality cannot be established from the abstract alone",
        "Exposure metrics are indirect proxies of solar/geomagnetic activity (IMF, Kp, SSN) rather than personal measurements",
        "Potential residual confounding not fully assessable from abstract",
        "Population is an aging cohort from one geographic area (Boston), which may limit generalizability"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "solar activity",
        "geomagnetic activity",
        "interplanetary magnetic field",
        "Kp index",
        "sunspot number",
        "pulmonary function",
        "FEV1",
        "FVC",
        "PM2.5",
        "black carbon",
        "effect modification",
        "Normative Aging Study"
    ],
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            "reason": "Uses IMF, Kp index, and sunspot number as solar/geomagnetic activity exposures related to health outcomes."
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}

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