Showing papers by "Frank E. Speizer published in 1979"

Effect of parental cigarette smoking on the pulmonary function of children

Abstract: The authors have investigated the effects of parental smoking patterns on the pulmonary function of children in East Boston, Massachusetts. A crude inverse dose-response relationship was observed between the level of FEF25--75% predicted of children who never smoked and the number of smoking parents in the household. Compared to children with two non-smoking parents, the level of FEF25--75% predicted was 0.156 and 0.355 standard deviation units lower for children with one and two currently smoking parents, respectively. An additional decline in level of FEF25--75% predicted was observed for children who themselves had smoked. Smoking children with two smoking parents had an average FEF25--75% predicted level which was 0.355 standard deviation units lower than non-smoking children with two smoking parents. These data not only confirm that cigarette smoking by young children and teenagers has direct measurable effects on their pulmonary function, but also show that cigarette smoking by parents has a measurable effect on the pulmonary function of their children which is independent of any direct use of cigarettes by the children.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels inside and outside homes and the implications on health effects research

Abstract: The results of one year's indoor and outdoor monitoring for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in six communities with widely varying outdoor levels are discussed. In four of the communities, outdoor SO2 levels are less than 50% of the annual Nat'l Ambient Air Quality Standards, while violations are fo never exceed the standard. Indoor NO2 levels can exceed outdoor levels by a factor of two, depending on the type of cooking appliance used, but indoor NO2 levels do not exceed the standard. (5 graphs, 23 references, 1 table)

Effects of sulfur oxides and respirable particles on human health. Methodology and demography of populations in study.

Abstract: As part of a study of health effects of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, we have established a cohort of adults 25 to 74 yr of age in 6 communities who will be followed prospectively. At the conclusion of our first cycle of measuring the health of adults in 6 sites we found that, although we used different sampling frames, our samples were close to the distribution shown in the U.S. Census for age, sex, and occupation, with the possible exception of one city. Analysis of the cross-sectional data indicated that for both age- and height-adjusted values for forced expiratory volume in 1 s and for selected rates of various respiratory symptoms standardized for age, differences among smoking groups were apparent. Differences in these parameters between sites suggest trends that were associated with levels of pollution. Further analyses of the prospective data currently being collected will be required before definitive statements can be made about the effect of specific levels of exposure.