Respiratory effects of road pollution in recreational cyclists: a pilot study.

We sought to measure bicyclists' roadway exposures to particulate matter and assess whether those exposures are associated with reduced pulmonary function. Thirty-one (31) volunteer participants riding bicycles on selected routes were tracked using the Global Positioning System. Personal exposures to particulate matter (PM-10) were measured during the rides and pulmonary function tests were administered at baseline, immediately after the ride, and 2 and 6–24 hours later. Post-ride decrements in pulmonary function were observed for several outcome measures, with the largest differences immediately post-ride. Statistically-significant declines in FEV1 (-38.42, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), −63.79 to −13.05 ml), FVC (-36.89, 95% CI, −62.96, −10.84 ml), and PEFR (-162, 95% CI −316.02 to −9.49 ml/sec) were observed for each increase in decile of peak exposure. PM-10 exposures encountered on roadways may put bicyclists at risk for pulmonary deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]