[The effects of occupational exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on the immunological parameters in workers]. / Wplyw zawodowego narazenia na dwutlenek azotu (NO2) oraz tlenek azotu (NO) na parametry ukladu odpornosciowego pracowników.

The study of T-cell subpopulation: T CD3+, T CD4+, T CD8+; NK CD16+ and B CD19+ cells as well as of serum concentrations of immunoglobulins G, A, M, E, complement components C3c and C4, total circulating immune complexes (CIC), CRP, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and transferin, was carried out in 16 males, smokers and non-smokers. The control group of smokers and non-smokers comprised 36 males not exposed to any chemical compound. The study was performed also in two groups of non-smokers: 5 workers occupationally exposed and 7 non-exposed controls. For the determination of T-cells, NK- and B CD19+ cells populations monoclonal antibodies were used in indirect immunofluorescence tests. Passive sampling spectrophotometric method was employed to determine NO2 and NO concentrations in the work environment air. Their mean values were 0.0867 +/- 0,0585 mg x m-3 (from 0.0165 to 0.1960) and 0.0614 +/- 0.0263 mg x m-3 (from 0.0220 to 0.1090), respectively. The number of total leucocytes and lymphocytes in the group of 16 smokers and non-smokers exposed to NO2 and NO was increased. Stimulation T-cells line in the men exposed to NO2 and NO was evidenced by an increased number of T CD3+ cells, about two-fold increase in absolute number of T CD4+ cells (p < 0.001), an increased number of T CD8+ cells (p < 0.001) and by an enhanced value (by 24.7%) of the T CD4+/T CD8+ ratio. In the group of 16 persons exposed to NO2 and NO serum IgG concentration was elevated (p < 0.01), C3c C4 decreased (p < 0.001), and serum CIC enhanced by about two times (p < 0.001). Stimulation T-cells line in the groups of 5 non-smoking workers exposed to NO2 and NO was evidenced by an increased number of T CD3+ (p < 0.05), T CD4+ (p < 0.05) and T CD8+ cells but without any change in the value of the T CD4+/T CD8+ ratio. In addition, decreased serum C3c and C4 levels together with serum CIC elevated by 76.7% (p < 0.05) were evidenced in this group on non-smokers. Moreover, significant positive correlations between NO2 concentrations in the air and the numbers of total lymphocytes, T CD3+, TCD4+, T CD8+ cells or IgG: (magnitude of r in the range between 0.31 and 0.71), as well as significant negative correlations between NO2 concentrations in the air and C3c (r = 0.44) in the group of 16 smoking and non-smoking workers were calculated. In this group significant positive correlation between NO concentrations in the air of the workplace and counts of T CD3+, T CD8+, B CD19+ (magnitude of r in the range between 0.51 and 0.63), haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin (magnitude of r from 0.37 to 0.58), as well as significant negative correlation between NO concentrations in the air and serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM (magnitude of r from -0.67 to -0.47) and CIC (magnitude of r = -0.39) were also observed. In the group of 5 exposed non-smoking workers, the values of correlation coefficients magnitude of r between NO2 and NO concentrations in the work environment air and immunological parameters were similar to those in the whole group. The results obtained suggest that during occupational exposure NO2 may play a more important role mainly in the process of inflammation but exogenous NO seems to act as modulating factor of this proinflammatory NO2 effect through a greater and exposure-dependent influence mainly on B CD19+ cells and other parameters of humoral immunity.

Measurements of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide concentrations in urban and rural areas of Poland using a passive sampling method.

Measurements of 1-month concentrations of NO(2) and SO(2) were carried out in the period from May 1993 to April 1994 in 147 points in 30 major cities of Poland and in 31 points in rural areas. The measurement points were divided into five classes representing: centres of cities, residential areas, industrial areas, traffic locations and rural areas. Passive samplers were prepared in one laboratory, mailed to local laboratories for sampling and then returned for analysis. The same samplers were used for collecting both NO(2) and SO(2). Analyses for NO(2) absorbed as nitrite were made spectrophotometrically after reaction with Saltzman reagent. Sulphur dioxide was determined as sulphate with ion chromatography. The consistency of data allowed comparison of levels of air pollution in different cities and the production of maps of spatial distribution of NO(2) and SO(2) in rural areas of Poland.