Effect of industrial point-source air pollutants on fractional exhaled nitric oxide in healthy volunteers
- DOI
- Language of the publication
- English
- Date
- 2019-11-26
- Type
- Article
- Author(s)
- Cakmak, Sabit
- Kauri, Lisa
- Mahmud, Mamun
- Shutt, Robin
- Liu, Ling
- Rigden, Marc
- Kumarathasan, Premkumari
- Vincent, Renaud
- Thomson, Errol M.
- Dales, Robert
- Publisher
- Elsevier
Abstract
Background Few studies have examined the effects of industrial, fixed-site sources of air pollution on lung inflammation in nearby residents. We investigated the effects of short-term exposure to ambient air near a steel plant on the fractional exhaled concentration of nitric oxide (FeNO), a measure of airway inflammation, in healthy volunteers. Methods A cross-over study design was used. Fifty-nine non-smoking participants (mean age 24 years) were randomly assigned to each of two 5-day exposure scenarios: breathing ambient air adjacent to a steel plant or 5 km away at a college campus site. FeNO and on-site air pollutants were measured daily. Mixed effects linear regression models were used for data analysis, adjusting for sex, temperature, humidity and day of week. Results Compared with the college site, PM 2.5, ultrafine PM, SO2, NO2 and CO levels were significantly greater near the steel plant. FeNO was 15.3% (95% CI, 6.6%, 24.8%) higher near the plant compared to the college site. Conclusions Exposure to ambient air near a steel plant was associated with increased airway inflammation as measured by exhaled nitric oxide.
Plain language summary
Under the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda (CARA), Health Canada conducts health risk assessments on air pollution from industry, though few studies have been reported on this subject. We conducted a study to determine the effects of industrial air pollutants on lung inflammation, which can lead to decreased lung function. Sixty-one healthy adults were randomly assigned to spend five consecutive days in a neighbourhood adjacent to a steel plant, or five kilometers away at a college campus. Following a 9-day break, participants were switched to the other exposure condition. We found that air pollution levels were higher at the plant site and that exhaled nitric oxide, an indicator of airway inflammation, was greater during the time subjects were breathing ambient air adjacent to the plant. When we analysed the effects of single air pollutants on exhaled nitric oxide, we saw no change in our markers. However, when we analysed the effects of a multipollutant indicator of health risks associated with air quality, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), we saw that exhaled nitric oxide increased as the AQHI increased. Taken together, this suggests that air pollution levels adjacent to the steel plant may have partially contributed to increased lung inflammation. Similar studies should be performed in other industrial settings to confirm the reported findings.
Subject
- Health,
- Health and safety