Deficits in lung function

Deficits of 1-2% in pulmonary function were assoeiated with long-term exposures to particulate air pollution to each lO-pg/m equivalent PMio. For context, adult nonsmokers lose approximately 1% of their lung eapaeity each year. Thus, a 1% deficit in lung function is approximately equivalent to 1 year of aging. 

The pH of the plasma may be considered to be a function of two independent variables (1) the PCO2, which is regulated by the lungs and represents the acid component of the carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffer system, and (2) the concentration of titratable base (base excess or deficit, which is defined later), which is regulated by the kidneys. The plasma bicarbonate concentration is generally taken as a measure of the base excess or deficit in plasma and ECF, although it is recognized tliat conditions exist in which bicarbonate concentration may not accurately reflect the true base excess or deficit. 

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