Abstract
BackgroundThere is a paucity of mechanistic information that is central to the understanding of the adverse health effects of source emission exposures. To identify source emission-related effects, blood and saliva samples from healthy volunteers who spent five days near a steel plant (Bayview site, with and without a mask that filtered many criteria pollutants) and at a well-removed College site were tested for oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction markers.MethodsBiomarker analyses were done using multiplexed protein-array, HPLC-Fluorescence, EIA and ELISA methods. Mixed effects models were used to test for associations between exposure, biological markers and physiological outcomes. Heat map with hierarchical clustering and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) were used for mechanistic analyses.ResultsMean CO, SO2 and ultrafine particles (UFP) levels on the day of biological sampling were higher at the Bayview site compared to College site. Bayview site exposures “without” mask were associated with increased (p < 0.05) pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g IL-4, IL-6) and endothelins (ETs) compared to College site. Plasma IL-1β, IL-2 were increased (p < 0.05) after Bayview site “without” compared to “with” mask exposures. Interquartile range (IQR) increases in CO, UFP and SO2 were associated with increased (p < 0.05) plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6, IL-8) and ET-1(1–21) levels. Plasma/saliva BET-1 levels were positively associated (p < 0.05) with increased systolic BP. C-reactive protein (CRP) was positively associated (p < 0.05) with increased heart rate. Protein network analyses exhibited activation of distinct inflammatory mechanisms after “with” and “without” mask exposures at the Bayview site relative to College site exposures.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that air pollutants in the proximity of steel mill site can influence inflammatory and vascular mechanisms. Use of mask and multiple biomarker data can be valuable in gaining insight into source emission-related health impacts.
Highlights
There is a paucity of mechanistic information that is central to the understanding of the adverse health effects of source emission exposures
Characteristics of the study population The results described here are from 52 subjects who participated in the entire exposure study, and consented to blood draws
At the Bayview site SO2 was increased about four-fold, while CO, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ultrafine particles (UFP) levels were increased about 2–3 fold compared to that at the College site
Summary
There is a paucity of mechanistic information that is central to the understanding of the adverse health effects of source emission exposures. Increased air pollution levels are associated with increased cardio-respiratory morbidity and mortality [5, 17, 53]. A strong association between children’s respiratory health and air pollution was shown through examination of a Children’s cohort in Hamilton, Ontario, where two largest steel mills in Canada are present [55]. We have shown that air pollution levels in the vicinity of a steel mill can alter pulmonary function and cardiovascular physiology in healthy adults [6, 10, 43, 60]. Decreased mortality rates have been reported with a copper smelter strike and reduced ambient sulfate particulate matter air pollution [54]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
