Lifetime exposure to particulate air pollutants is negatively associated with lung function in non-asthmatic children

Highlights: • A survey of children aged 6–15 years was conducted in 44 schools in Taiwan. • The lifetime residential exposure to 5 air pollutants was estimated by kriging method. • The association between lung function and lifetime exposure was analyzed. • Children's lung function is negatively associated with lifetime exposure to PM₁₀. Pulmonary function is known to be affected by acute and subacute exposure to ambient air pollution. However, the impacts of lifetime exposure to air pollution on the pulmonary function of children have been inconsistent. The present study investigated the impact of lifetime residential exposure to intermediate levels of air pollution on the pulmonary function of schoolchildren.