Fine particulate matter exposure and olfactory dysfunction among urban-dwelling older US adults.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The olfactory nerve is anatomically susceptible to injury from pollution in inspired air, but there are no large-scale epidemiologic studies investigating this relationship.

Methods

Cross-sectional study using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a representative sample of home-dwelling US adults age 57-85 years. Olfactory function was tested using a validated 5-item odor identification test (Sniffin' Sticks). Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) at each respondent's home was estimated as 1-12 month moving averages prior to olfactory assessment using validated spatio-temporal models.

Results

Olfactory dysfunction was significantly associated with PM_2.5 exposures averaged over 3-12 months in urban-dwelli

SUBMITTER: Ajmani GS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5554594 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature