Abstract
BackgroundIn the year 2000 Corus closed its steel plant operations in Redcar, NE of England temporarily for refurbishment of its blast furnace. This study investigates the impact of the closure on the chemical composition and biological activity of PM10 collected in the vicinity of the steel plant.MethodsThe metal content of PM10 samples collected before during and after the closure was measured by ICP-MS in order to ascertain whether there was any significant alteration in PM10 composition during the steel plant closure. Biological activity was assessed by instillation of 24 hr PM10 samples into male Wistar rats for 18 hr (n = 6). Inflammation was identified by the cellular and biochemical profile of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Metal chelation of PM10 samples was conducted using Chelex beads prior to treatment of macrophage cell line, J774, in vitro and assessment of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.ResultsThe total metal content of PM10 collected before and during the closure period were similar, but on reopening of the steel plant there was a significant 3-fold increase (p < 0.05) compared with the closure and pre-closure samples. Wind direction prior to the closure was predominantly from the north, compared to south westerly during the closure and re-opened periods. Of metals analysed, iron was most abundant in the total and acid extract, while zinc was the most prevalent metal in the water-soluble fraction. Elevated markers of inflammation included a significant increase (p < 0.01) in neutrophil cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage of rats instilled with PM10 collected during the reopened period, as well as significant increases in albumin (p < 0.05). Extracts of PM10 from the pre-closure and closure periods did not induce any significant alterations in inflammation or lung damage. The soluble and insoluble extractable PM10 components washed from the reopened period both induced a significant increase in neutrophil cell number (p < 0.05) when compared to the control, and these increases when added together approximately equalled the inflammation induced by the whole sample. PM10 from the re-opened period stimulated J774 macrophages to generate TNF-α protein and this was significantly prevented by chelating the metal content of the PM10 prior to addition to the cells.ConclusionPM10-induced inflammation in the rat lung was related to the concentration of metals in the PM10 samples tested, and activity was found in both the soluble and insoluble fractions of the particulate pollutant.
Highlights
Elevated levels of ambient respirable particulate matter (PM10) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially in susceptible individuals [1]
In 2000 the steel plant located at the Teesside works in Redcar, UK closed temporarily for a major repair programme to its blast furnace
The current study aimed to investigate whether closure of a UK steel plant blast furnace would impact upon the metal content of PM10 and whether this change in composition would alter the biological potency of this pollutant
Summary
Elevated levels of ambient respirable particulate matter (PM10) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially in susceptible individuals [1]. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Devolved Administrations took advantage of this refurbishment to investigate the effect that closing the plant would have on locally produced PM10. This is the first study of its kind in the UK, but is similar in concept to that of the Utah study by Pope [1] Pope et al.,[3] reported that, during the closure of a steel mill in the Utah valley, a reduction in PM10 mass, and changes in its composition were associated with decreases in morbidity and mortality of the local population. This study investigates the impact of the closure on the chemical composition and biological activity of PM10 collected in the vicinity of the steel plant
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.
