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Synergistic effects of exposure to concentrated ambient fine pollution particles and nitrogen dioxide in humans.
Huang, YC, Rappold, AG, Graff, DW, Ghio, AJ, Devlin, RB
Inhalation toxicology. 2012;(12):790-7
Abstract
CONTEXT Exposure to single pollutants e.g. particulate matter (PM) is associated with adverse health effects, but it does not represent a real world scenario that usually involves multiple pollutants. OBJECTIVES Determine if simultaneous exposure to PM and NO₂ results in synergistic interactions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Healthy young volunteers were exposed to clean air, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂, 0.5 ppm), concentrated fine particles from Chapel Hill air (PM(2.5)CAPs, 89.5 ± 10.7 µg/m³), or NO₂+PM(2.5)CAPs for 2 h. Each subject performed intermittent exercise during the exposure. Parameters of heart rate variability (HRV), changes in repolarization, peripheral blood endpoints and lung function were measured before and 1 and 18 h after exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 18 h after exposure. RESULTS NO₂ exposure alone increased cholesterol and HDL 18 h after exposure, decreased high frequency component of HRV one and 18 h after exposure, decreased QT variability index 1 h after exposure, and increased LDH in BAL fluid. The only significant change with PM(2.5)CAPs was an increase in HDL 1 h after exposure, likely due to the low concentrations of PM(2.5)CAPs in the exposure chamber. Exposure to both NO₂ and PM(2.5)CAPs increased BAL α1-antitrypsin, mean t wave amplitude, the low frequency components of HRV and the LF/HF ratio. These changes were not observed following exposure to NO₂ or PM(2.5)CAPs alone, suggesting possible interactions between the two pollutants. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS NO₂ exposure may produce and enhance acute cardiovascular effects of PM(2.5)CAPs. Assessment of health effects by ambient PM should consider its interactions with gaseous copollutants.