ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:We compared the adverse effects of two types of real ambient particles; i.e., total suspended particles from an electrostatic precipitator of a steel mill and fine air particles from an urban ambient particulate matter of 2.5 µm, on mucociliary clearance.METHOD:Mucociliary function was quantified by mucociliary transport, ciliary beating frequency and the amount of acid and neutral mucous in epithelial cells through morphometry of frog palate preparations. The palates were immersed in one of the following solutions: total suspended particles (0.1 mg/mL), particulate matter 2.5 µm 0.1 mg/mL (PM0.1) or 3.0 mg/mL (PM3.0) and amphibian Ringer’s solution (control). Particle chemical compositions were determined by X-ray fluorescence and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.RESULTS:Exposure to total suspended particles and PM3.0 decreased mucociliary transport. Ciliary beating frequency was diminished by total suspended particles at all times during exposure, while particulate matter of 2.5 µm did not elicit changes. Particulate matter of 2.5 µm reduced epithelial mucous and epithelium thickness, while total suspended particles behaved similarly to the control group. Total suspended particles exhibited a predominance of Fe and no organic compounds, while the particulate matter 2.5 µm contained predominant amounts of S, Fe, Si and, to a lesser extent, Cu, Ni, V, Zn and organic compounds.CONCLUSION:Our results showed that different compositions of particles induced different airway epithelial responses, emphasizing that knowledge of their individual characteristics may help to establish policies aimed at controlling air pollution.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mucociliary Clearance , Mucus , Particulate Matter/chemistry , Particulate Matter/toxicity , Steel/chemistry , Anura , Cilia , Epithelium , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Mucus/chemistry , Palate/cytology , Spectrometry, X-Ray EmissionABSTRACT
Objetivo: evaluar las diferencias en las condiciones de salud entre grupos de trabajadores expuestos, no expuestos y menos expuestos a contaminación ambiental en el área metropolitana del valle de Aburrá. Métodos: se realizó una cuidadosa revisión de las mediciones de contaminantes ambientales, precipitación, temperatura y variables demográficas y sociales de los municipios del área metropolitana del Valle del Aburrá y del oriente del departamento de Antioquia (Colombia). Se realizó un estudio transversal de corte. Se seleccionó aleatoriamente una población de 3.500 habitantes. A los individuos seleccionados se les aplicó una encuesta previamente estandarizada y se les estudiaron las pruebas funcionales respiratorias mediante espirometría. Resultados: se realizaron 400 espirometrías. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos en cuanto a edad, sexo, consumo de cigarrillo y estrato socioeconómico. Las partículas suspendidas totales (PST) están frecuentemente por encima de 100 µg/m³. Igual sucede con material particulado inferior a 10 micras (PM10). Los no expuestos tienen una mejor relación volumen expiratorio forzado en el primer segundo sobre capacidad vital forzada (VEF1/CVF), en 3,1%. Se evidenció un exceso de riesgo de sufrir afecciones obstructivas pulmonares entre los expuestos frente a los no expuestos de 68% RR 1,68 IC (1,19-2,36). Conclusiones: la calidad del aire del área metropolitana del Valle del Aburrá no es buena. Hay un exceso de riesgo en los expuestos a contaminación de sufrir afecciones obstructivas pulmonares.
Objective: to test the differences in health conditions between groups of exposed and non exposed workers to environmental pollution in the metropolitan area of Aburrá Valley. Methods: a careful revision of the measurements of environmental pollution agents, precipitation, temperature and sociodemographic variables of the municipalities of the metropolitan area of Aburrá Valley and the eastern region of the department of Antioquia (Colombia) was accomplished. A cross-sectional study was made. A random selection of a population of 3.500 inhabitants was done. A previously standardized survey was applied to selected individuals and respiratory functional tests were also administered to them by means of spirometry. Results: four hundred spirometries were made. Non significant differences between the two groups were found according to age, sex, smoking habit, consumption and socioeconomic level. Total suspended particles are over 100 µg/m³ and the same applies to the PM10. The workers not exposed have a better relation VEF1/VCF (3.1%). A high risk excess to suffer lung obstructive affections between non exposed workers vs. exposed workers: 68%, RR 1,68 IC (1,19-2,36). Conclusion: air quality in the metropolitan area of Aburrá Valley is not good. There is a risk excess in people exposed to pollution of suffering lung obstructive affections.
Subject(s)
Air PollutionABSTRACT
Objective To assess the relationship between the concentration of total suspended particle (TSP) and cerebral-cardiovascular disease mortality of urban residents in Fushun city, China. Methods The data of cerebral-cardiovascular disease mortality and TSP concentration from 1999 to 2003 in Fushun city were collected. The association between TSP concentrations and the mortality of cerebral-cardiovascular diseases was analyzed using Poisson regression model adjusted for seasons, long-term patterns and meteorological variations using an ecological parametric method. Results As the concentration of TSP increased by 50 ?g/m3, OR of cerebral-cardiovascular disease mortality increase was 1.015 42 (95%CI=1.000 18-1.030 89) in the male group and 1.022 40 (95%CI=1.004 87-1.040 23) in the aged male group respectively, as 4-days lag TSP concentration increased by 50 ?g/m3, OR of cerebral-cardiovascular disease mortality increase was 1.008 26 (95%CI=1.000 57-1.016 02) in the whole people, 1.016 27 (95%CI=1.006 71-1.025 93) in the male group and 1.016 65 (95%CI=1.005 25-1.028 19) in the aged male group respectively. Conclusion Air pollution by TSP is considered as a risk factor for the increase of cerebral-cardiovascular disease mortality in Fushun city, China.