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- Eriksson, Eva, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Selected stormwater priority pollutants - a European perspective
- 2007
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 383:1-3, s. 41-51
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The chemical characteristics of stormwater are dependent on the nature of surfaces (roads, roofs etc.) with which it comes into contact during the runoff process as well as natural processes and anthropogenic activities in the catchments. The different types of pollutants may cause problems during utilisation, detention or discharge of stormwater to the environment and may pose specific demands to decentralised treatment. This paper proposes a scientifically justifiable list of selected stormwater priority pollutants (SSPP) to be used, e.g., for evaluation of the chemical risks occurring in different handling strategies. The SSPP-list consists of 25 pollutant parameters including eight of the priority pollutants currently identified in the European Water Framework Directive. It contains general water quality parameters (organic and suspended matter, nutrients and pH); metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Pt and Zn); PAH (naphthalene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene); herbicides (pendimethalin, phem-nedipham, glyphosate and terbutylazine); and other representative industrially derived compounds (nonylphenol ethoxylates, pentachlorophenol, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, PCB-28 and methyl tert-butyl ether). Tools for flux modelling, enabling calculation of predicted environmental concentrations (PECs), and for ranking the susceptibility of a pollutant to removal within a range of structural stormwater treatment systems or best management practices (BMPs) have been developed, but further work is required to allow all SSPPs to be addressed in the development of future stormwater pollution control measures. In addition, the identified SSPPs should be considered for inclusion in stormwater related monitoring campaigns. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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3. |
- Gunnbjornsdottir, M. I., et al.
(author)
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Obesity and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux are related to onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms
- 2004
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In: Eur Respir J. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). ; 24:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Several studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for asthma in both children and adults. An increased prevalence of asthma in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome has also been reported. The aim of this investigation was to study obesity, nocturnal GOR and snoring as independent risk factors for onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a Nordic population. In a 5-10 yr follow-up study of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Estonia, a postal questionnaire was sent to previous respondents. A total of 16,191 participants responded to the questionnaire. Reported onset of asthma, wheeze and night-time symptoms as well as nocturnal GOR and habitual snoring increased in prevalence along with the increase in body mass index (BMI). After adjusting for nocturnal GOR, habitual snoring and other confounders, obesity (BMI >30) remained significantly related to the onset of asthma, wheeze and night-time symptoms. Nocturnal GOR was independently related to the onset of asthma and in addition, both nocturnal GOR and habitual snoring were independently related to onset of wheeze and night-time symptoms. This study adds evidence to an independent relationship between obesity, nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux and habitual snoring and the onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms in adults.
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4. |
- Heath, E., et al.
(author)
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Inter-laboratory exercise on steroid estrogens in aqueous samples
- 2010
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In: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 158:3, s. 658-662
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An inter-laboratory comparison exercise was organized among European laboratories, under the aegis of EU COST Action 636: ""Xenobiotics in Urban Water Cycle"" The objective was to evaluate the performance of testing laboratories determining ""Endocrine Disrupting Compounds"" (EDC) in various aqueous matrices. As the main task three steroid estrogens. 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol, 17 beta-estradiol and estrone were determined in four spiked aqueous matrices' tap water, river water and wastewater treatment plant influent and effluent using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS Results were compared and discussed according to the analytical techniques applied, the accuracy and reproducibility of the analytical methods and the nature of the sample matrices. Overall, the results obtained in this inter-laboratory exercise reveal a high level of competence among the participating laboratories for the detection of steroid estrogens in water samples indicating that GC-MS as well as LC-MS/MS can equally be employed for the analysis of natural and synthetic hormones.
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- Ekblad, S., et al.
(author)
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Disturbances in postural balance are common in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms
- 2000
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In: Climacteric. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1369-7137 .- 1473-0804. ; 3:3, s. 192-198
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of unsteadiness and rotatory vertigo in peri- and postmenopausal women, and whether balance disturbances are more common in women with vasomotor symptoms and without hormone replacement therapy (HRT). METHOD: A validated questionnaire was sent to all 1523 women aged 54 or 55 years in Linköping, Sweden. RESULTS: Daily or weekly unsteadiness was reported by 5%, and daily or weekly rotatory vertigo by 4% of all women. The frequency of vasomotor symptoms correlated with reported unsteadiness (rs = 0.23, p < 0.001). Fourteen per cent of women with daily vasomotor symptoms reported weekly or daily unsteadiness, compared with 3% of those without vasomotor symptoms (odds ratio (OR) 7.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.72-15.45). The frequency of vasomotor symptoms correlated with rotatory vertigo (rs = 0.19, p < 0.001). Ten per cent of women with daily vasomotor symptoms reported weekly or daily rotatory vertigo, compared with 2% of women without vasomotor symptoms (OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.07-25.52). No correlation was seen between vasomotor symptoms and falls. Users of HRT had the same prevalence of balance disturbances as non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Women with frequent vasomotor symptoms seem to run a greater risk of unsteadiness and rotatory vertigo than do women without symptoms. This association may not be explained by means of a cross-sectional study, but there might exist a causal connection between vasomotor symptoms and balance disturbances.
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9. |
- Falås, Per, et al.
(author)
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Impact of solid retention time and nitrification capacity on the ability of activated sludge to remove pharmaceuticals
- 2012
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In: Environmental Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1479-487X .- 0959-3330. ; 33:8, s. 865-872
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Removal of five acidic pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and clofibric acid) by activated sludge from five municipal activated sludge treatment processes, with various sludge ages and nitrification capacities, was assessed through batch experiments. The increase in aerobic sludge age from 1-3 to 7 d seemed to be critical for the removal of naproxen and ketoprofen, with markedly higher rates of removal at sludge ages of 7 d or more. No removal was shown for diclofenac and clofibric acid, whereas high rates were observed for ibuprofen in all investigated sludges. Parallel examinations of activated sludge batches with and without allylthiourea (12 mg/L), an inhibitor of ammonia monooxygenase, showed minor to moderate influence on the removal rates of ketoprofen and naproxen. These results suggest that the removal rates of biodegradable pharmaceuticals in municipal activated sludge processes are strongly linked to the heterotrophic bacteria community.
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10. |
- Falås, Per, et al.
(author)
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Suspended biofilm carrier and activated sludge removal of acidic pharmaceuticals.
- 2012
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In: Water Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-2448 .- 0043-1354. ; 46:4, s. 1167-1175
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Removal of seven active pharmaceutical substances (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, clofibric acid, mefenamic acid, and gemfibrozil) was assessed by batch experiments, with suspended biofilm carriers and activated sludge from several full-scale wastewater treatment plants. A distinct difference between nitrifying activated sludge and suspended biofilm carrier removal of several pharmaceuticals was demonstrated. Biofilm carriers from full-scale nitrifying wastewater treatment plants, demonstrated considerably higher removal rates per unit biomass (i.e. suspended solids for the sludges and attached solids for the carriers) of diclofenac, ketoprofen, gemfibrozil, clofibric acid and mefenamic acid compared to the sludges. Among the target pharmaceuticals, only ibuprofen and naproxen showed similar removal rates per unit biomass for the sludges and biofilm carriers. In contrast to the pharmaceutical removal, the nitrification capacity per unit biomass was lower for the carriers than the sludges, which suggests that neither the nitrite nor the ammonia oxidizing bacteria are primarily responsible for the observed differences in pharmaceutical removal. The low ability of ammonia oxidizing bacteria to degrade or transform the target pharmaceuticals was further demonstrated by the limited pharmaceutical removal in an experiment with continuous nitritation and biofilm carriers from a partial nitritation/anammox sludge liquor treatment process.
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11. |
- Hayes, Anthony J., et al.
(author)
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Spinal Deformity in Aged Zebrafish Is Accompanied by Degenerative Changes to Their Vertebrae that Resemble Osteoarthritis
- 2013
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:9, s. e75787-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Age-related degenerative changes within the vertebral column are a significant cause of morbidity with considerable socio-economic impact worldwide. An improved understanding of these changes through the development of experimental models may lead to improvements in existing clinical treatment options. The zebrafish is a well-established model for the study of skeletogenesis with significant potential in gerontological research. With advancing age, zebrafish frequently develop gross deformities of their vertebral column, previously ascribed to reduced trunk muscle tone. In this study, we assess degenerative changes specifically within the bone and cartilage of the vertebral column of zebrafish at 1, 2 and 3-years of age. We show increased frequency and severity of spinal deformities/curvatures with age. Underlying the most severe phenotypes are partial or complete vertebral dislocations and focal thickening of the vertebral bone at the joint margins. MicroCT examination demonstrates small defects, fractures and morphological evidence suggestive of bone erosion and remodeling (i.e. osteophytes) within the vertebrae during aging, but no significant change in bone density. Light and electron microscopic examination reveal striking agerelated changes in cell morphology, suggestive of chondroptosis, and tissue remodelling of the vertebral cartilage, particularly within the pericellular micro-environment. Glycosaminoglycan analysis of the vertebral column by HPLC demonstrates a consistent, age-related increase in the yield of total chondroitin sulfate disaccharide, but no change in sulfation pattern, supported by immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemistry strongly identifies all three chondroitin/dermatan sulphate isoforms (C-0-S, C-4-S/DS and C-6-S) within the vertebral cartilage, particularly within the pericellular micro-environment. In contrast, keratan sulfate immunolocalises specifically with the notochordal tissue of the intervertebral disc, and its labelling diminishes with age. In summary, these observations raise the prospect that zebrafish, in addition to modelling skeletal development, may have utility in modelling age-related degenerative changes that affect the skeleton during senescence.
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12. |
- Hey, Gerly, et al.
(author)
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Removal of pharmaceuticals in biologically treated wastewater by chlorine dioxide or peracetic acid
- 2012
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In: Environmental Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1479-487X .- 0959-3330. ; 33:9, s. 1041-1047
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Removal of six active pharmaceutical ingredients in wastewater was investigated using chlorine dioxide (ClO2) or peracetic acid (PAA) as chemical oxidants. Four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and mefenamic acid) and two lipid-regulating agents (gemfibrozil and clofibric acid, a metabolite of clofibrate) were used as target substances at 40 mu g/L initial concentration. Three different wastewaters types originating from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were used. One wastewater was collected after extended nitrogen removal in activated sludge, one after treatment with high-loaded activated sludge without nitrification, and one from the final effluent from the same plant where nitrogen removal was made in trickling filters for nitrification and moving-bed biofilm reactors for denitrification following the high-loaded plant. Of the six investigated compounds, only clofibric acid and ibuprofen were not removed when treated with ClO2 up to 20 mg/L. With increasing PAA dose up to 50 mg/L, significant removal of most of the pharmaceuticals was observed except for the wastewater with the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD). This indicates that chemical oxidation with ClO2 could be used for tertiary treatment at WWTPs for active pharmaceutical ingredients, whereas PAA was not sufficiently efficient.
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13. |
- Hey, Gerly, et al.
(author)
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Removal of pharmaceuticals in WWTP effluents by ozone and hydrogen peroxide
- 2014
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In: Water S.A.. - : Academy of Science of South Africa. - 1816-7950 .- 0378-4738. ; 40:1, s. 165-173
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ozonation to achieve removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater effluents, with pH values in the upper and lower regions of the typical range for Swedish wastewater, was investigated. The main aim was to study the effects of varying pH values (6.0 and 8.0), and if small additions of H2O2 prior to ozone treatment could improve the removal and lower the reaction time. The effluents studied differed in their chemical characteristics, particularly in terms of alkalinity (65.3-427 mg center dot l(-1) HCO3-), COD (18.2-41.8 mg center dot l(-1)), DOC (6.9-12.5 mg center dot l(-1)), ammonium content (0.02-3.6 mg center dot l(-1)) and specific UV absorbance (1.78-2.76 l center dot mg(-1)center dot m(-1)). As expected, lower ozone decomposition rates were observed in the effluents at pH 6.0 compared to pH 8.0. When pH 8.0 effluents were ozonated, a higher degree of pharmaceutical removal occurred in the effluent with low specific UV absorbance. For pH 6.0 effluents, the removal of pharmaceuticals was most efficient in the effluent with the lowest organic content. The addition of H2O2 had no significant effect on the quantitative removal of pharmaceuticals but enhanced the ozone decomposition rate. Thus, H2O2 addition increased the reaction rate. In practice, this will mean that the reactor volume needed for the ozonation of wastewater effluents can be reduced.
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- Kogler, A., et al.
(author)
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Postural stability using different neck positions in normal subjects and patients with neck trauma
- 2000
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In: Acta Oto-Laryngologica. - 0001-6489 .- 1651-2251. ; 120:2, s. 151-155
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Subjects with neck problems, such as whiplash injuries, often complain of disturbed equilibrium and, in some instances, provocation of the neck position can elicit such problems. The importance of neck proprioceptors for maintaining balance is gaining increased interest, moreover the function or malfunction of the otoliths may disturb equilibrium in certain head positions. The aim of the study was to create a reference material for postural control and its dependence on head position in healthy subjects and to compare this with a set of patients with known neck problems and associated vertiginous problems. A total of 32 healthy subjects (16 men, 16 women, age range 21-58 years) as well as 10 patients age range 27-62 years (mean 44 years) with neck problems and associated balance problems since a whiplash injury were tested for postural control using the EquiTest dynamic posturographic model. The normal subjects were initially split into four age groups in order to estimate the effects of age on performance. The postural stability was evaluated for dependence of support surface conditions (stable or sway-referenced), visual input (eyes open or closed) and head position (neutral, left rotated, right rotated, extended backwards or flexed forward) using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post hoc test in case of a significant factor effect. As expected, visual cues as well as stable support surface improve postural stability (p < 0.001). Postural stability is statistically different in the head extended backwards condition compared with the other four head positions (p < 0.001 in all cases) in both patients and controls. Eliminating this test condition from the analysis, only a slight (p < 0.05) difference between head forwards and head turned left remained. This pattern of results remained if the normal subjects were only split into two age groups instead of four. Finally, the patient group exhibited significantly lower postural performance than all the groups of normal subjects (p < 0.01), but none of the normal groups differed significantly from each other. It is concluded that the postural control system is significantly challenged in the head extended backwards condition in both normal subjects and patients with previous whiplash injury and persistent neck problems. The patient group differed statistically from all groups of normal subjects. This suggests that neck problems impair postural control, and that the head extended position is a more challenging task for the postural system to adapt to. Whether this is due to utricular malpositioning, central integrative functions or cervical proprioceptive afferents is not within the scope of this study to answer. ⌐ 2000 Taylor & Francis.
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16. |
- Ledin, T., et al.
(author)
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Effects of balance training in elderly evaluated by clinical tests and dynamic posturography
- 1991
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In: Journal of Vestibular Research-Equilibrium & Orientation. - 0957-4271 .- 1878-6464. ; 1:2, s. 129-138
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- All persons aged 70 through 75 years (N = 457) in a Swedish community were invited to participate in a 9 week balance training study. Out of 55 interested subjects, 15 were chosen at random for a study group; 15 matched controls were also selected. Before and after the investigation period the balance function was assessed by clinical balance tests and dynamic posturography. In the clinical balance tests, the training group significantly improved their balance standing on one leg with eyes closed as well as standing on one leg while shaking the head; they also walked 15 m back and forth faster. In the dynamic posturography the training group significantly improved their equilibrium scores in the 3 most difficult test conditions. The results of the control group were unchanged except for one test condition in the dynamic posturography. The differences in one-leg standing with head shaking, walking 2 x 15 m, and the equilibrium score using sway-referenced platform in dynamic posturography were proved to be attributable to the training. The first investigation in all 29 subjects formed normative dynamic posturography data for the age group 70 through 75 years. The normative posturographic data of this age group differed from previously obtained data in the age groups 20 through 59 and 60 through 69 years. It is concluded that elderly may improve their balance by regular balance training exercises for as short a period as 9 weeks. This might prove to be of great value in improving balance and thereby preventing accidental falls and subsequent fractures in elderly.
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- Ledin, Torbjörn, et al.
(author)
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Yrsel och balansrubbningar
- 2004
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In: FYSS för alla. - Stockholm : Yrkesföreningar för fysisk aktivitet. - 9185574511
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Yrsel är vanligt förekommande och förekomsten ökar med stigande ålder. Nedsatt, förlorad eller störd funktion i en eller flera av balanssystemets delar kan orsakas av åldrande samt av många olika sjukdomar och skador och leda till störd balansfunktion och rörelseillusioner (yrsel). Diagnostiken består av bl.a. anamnestagning, tester av vestibulär funktion, lägestester och bedömning av den posturala kontrollen. Vi diskuterar i denna framställning några yrseltillstånd där rörelseträning är betydelsefull för största möjliga tillfrisknande. Akut perifert vestibulärt bortfall av ena sidans balansnervsfunktion ger akut insättande kraftig yrsel och balansrubbning. Tillfrisknandet kan påskyndas genom stimulering av central kompensation med ögonrörelser, huvudrörelser och balansövningar av successivt ökad intensitet. Vid BPPV (godartad lägesyrsel) har otoliter lossnat och förflyttats från hinnsäck till båggång vilket ger yrsel vid huvudrörelser och kroppslägesändringar. Vid BPPV används två olika behandlingsprinciper; habitueringsträning och manöverbehandling. Skador i det centrala nervsystemet och åldersrelaterade förändringar av balanssystemets funktion kan också leda till yrsel och balansrubbningar. Yrsel och balanssvårigheter hos äldre är en riskfaktor för fall och frakturer. Vid skador på centrala nervsystemet och vid åldersrelaterad yrsel syftar träningen till förbättrad balans, koordination och styrka, minskad rörelserädsla och ökad aktivitetsgrad.
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- Sandstrom, T, et al.
(author)
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Inflammatory cell response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after nitrogen dioxide exposure of healthy subjects: a dose-response study
- 1991
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In: European Respiratory Journal. - 1399-3003. ; 4:3, s. 332-339
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The combination of environmental chamber exposure and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was used to study the effects of the common air pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Eighteen healthy nonsmokers were exposed to NO2 during 20 min in an exposure chamber during light bicycle ergometer work. All subjects were examined with BAL at least 3 wks before exposure, as a reference. The subjects were re-examined with BAL, in groups of eight, 24 h after exposure to 4, 7 and 10 mg NO2.m.3 (2.25, 4.0 and 5.5 ppm), respectively. An inflammatory cell response was found after exposure to all concentrations. An increase in the number of lymphocytes in BAL fluid was observed after 7 and 10 mg.m.3 (p less than 0.05 and 0.02, respectively). An increase in the number of mast cells, that appears to be dose-dependent, was found after exposure to all concentrations. The proportion of lysozyme positive alveolar macrophages was elevated after exposure to 7 mg.m.3. The inflammatory mediators fibronectin, hyaluronan, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and beta 2-microglobulin were unchanged by exposure. Due to the findings of inflammatory cell changes far below the peak exposure limits for work places in industrialized countries, 9-18 mg.m.3, the safety of these limits is questioned. Studies are in progress in our laboratory using BAL to evaluate the effects of repeated NO2 exposure.
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