Effects Of Personal Exposure Research Articles

Fungal Bioaerosol Exposure and its Effects on the Health of Mushroom and Vegetable Farm Workers in Taiwan

ABSTRACTWorkers from specific occupational settings may be exposed to high fungal bioaerosol concentrations, causing detrimental health effects. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the characteristics and health effects of fungal bioaerosols present on agricultural farms. By using IOM inhalable dust samplers, personal and area samples of airborne fungi were collected from five agricultural farms—two mushroom and three vegetable farms. A standardized questionnaire and spirometry were used to evaluate workers’ health. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to examine the distributions of fungal and environmental factors among the different farms, and regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of personal bioaerosol exposure on workers’ health. In the personal samples, the geometric mean concentrations ranged from 4.3 × 103 to 3.0 × 104 CFU m–3 for total culturable fungi and from 4.2 × 103 to 1.2 × 105 spores m–3 for total fungal spores. The total fungal spore concentrations differed significantly among the personal samples (p = 0.026), but not among the area samples, from the five farms. The culturable fungal concentrations among the five farms did not differ significantly in the personal or area samples. Decreased lung functions of the workers were significantly associated with the concentrations of total fungi and several fungal taxa such as Ascospores, Fusarium, and Periconia. This study demonstrated that exposure to high fungal bioaerosol concentrations reduced the lung functions of the mushroom and vegetable farm workers. Superior ventilation and appropriate personal protection equipment are required to reduce occupational biohazards.

Does exposure to inhalation anesthesia gases change the ratio of X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing Sperms? A worth exploring project into an uncharted domain

According to recent surveys performed in United States and India, anesthesia care providers were observed to have sired female offspring in a higher proportion than male offspring as their firstborn progeny; however, the reasons for the skew are not clear. Our hypothesis is that the underlying biological evidence may be elucidated by unraveling differences (if any) between the concentrations of X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms in the semen samples obtained from males exposed to varied levels of anesthetics in their lifetimes. Therefore, the objectives of the envisaged study would be to conduct a three-stage investigative study on in-vitro human semen samples to determine (a) X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms concentrations’ ratio in male pediatric anesthesia care providers’ semen samples, (b) changes in X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms concentrations’ ratios between the pre-rotation and post-rotation semen samples of male medical student volunteers/observers, and (c) changes in X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms concentrations’ ratios between the pre-operative and post-operative day-3 semen samples of male patients presenting for outpatient procedures under inhalational anesthesia. The expected outcomes would be (a) linear and positive correlation of the anesthetic gas usage (exposure) with increased X-bearing sperms/Y-bearing sperms ratio in post-anesthesia day 3 sample as compared to the baseline preoperative sample, (b) linear and positive correlation of the anesthetic gas usage (exposure) with increased X-bearing sperms/Y-bearing sperms ratio in post-rotation sample as compared to the baseline sample, and (c) observation of high X-bearing sperms/Y-bearing sperms ratio in the pediatric anesthesia care providers. In summary, effects (if any) of occupational or personal exposure to inhalational anesthetic gases on the X-bearing sperms and Y-bearing sperms ratio is a worthy project wherein lots of questions that have arisen over decades could find the path to their definitive answers, based on envisaged laboratory investigations into this uncharted domain.

A panel study of the acute effects of personal exposure to household air pollution on ambulatory blood pressure in rural Indian women

BackgroundAlmost half the world's population is exposed to household air pollution from biomass and coal combustion. The acute effects of household air pollution on the cardiovascular system are poorly characterized. We conducted a panel study of rural Indian women to assess whether personal exposures to black carbon during cooking were associated with acute changes in blood pressure. MethodsWe enrolled 45 women (ages 25–66 years) who cooked with biomass fuels. During cooking sessions in winter and summer, we simultaneously measured their personal real-time exposure to black carbon and conducted ambulatory blood pressure measurements every 10min. We recorded ambient temperature and participants' activities while cooking. We assessed body mass index, socioeconomic status, and salt intake. Multivariate mixed effects regression models with random intercepts were used to estimate the associations between blood pressure and black carbon exposure, e.g., average exposure in the minutes preceding blood pressure measurement, and average exposure over an entire cooking session. ResultsWomen's geometric mean (GM) exposure to black carbon during cooking sessions was lower in winter (GM: 40μg/m3; 95% CI: 30, 53) than in summer (GM: 56μg/m3; 95% CI: 42, 76). Interquartile range increases in black carbon were associated with changes in systolic blood pressure from −0.4mm Hg (95% CI: −2.3, 1.5) to 1.9mm Hg (95% CI: −0.8, 4.7), with associations increasing in magnitude as black carbon values were assessed over greater time periods preceding blood pressure measurement. Interquartile range increases in black carbon were associated with small decreases in diastolic blood pressure from −0.9mm Hg (95% CI: −1.7, −0.1) to −0.4mm Hg (95% CI: −1.6, 0.8). Associations of a similar magnitude were estimated for cooking session-averaged values. ConclusionsWe found some evidence of an association between exposure to black carbon and acute increases in systolic blood pressure in Indian women cooking with biomass fuels, which may have implications for the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of Personal Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter on Acute Change in Nocturnal Heart Rate Variability in Subjects Without Overt Heart Disease

The immediate effect within minutes to hours of personal exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on cardiac autonomic function is limited, particularly at night. Our study aimed to assess the lagged association between personal exposure to PM2.5 and nocturnal heart rate variability. Repeated measures panel study among 21 community adults recruited from a local health clinic during the period of March 1, 2004, to August 31, 2004, in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Ambulatory electrocardiogram and continuous monitoring of personal exposure to PM2.5 and were measured for up to 2 consecutive days. We calculated 5-minute time-specific average PM2.5 exposure for each participant. Mixed-effects models were fit for 5-minute SD of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and 5-minute heart rate in relation to 5-minute PM2.5 exposure lagged in 5-minute intervals up to 4 hours. We found an 8.4% decrease in nocturnal SDNN (95% confidence interval [CI] -11.3% to -5.5%) and a 1.9% increase in nighttime heart rate (95% CI 1.1% to 2.7%) for an interquartile range increase in PM2.5 (13.6 μg/m(3)), after adjusting for confounders. Significant decreases in nocturnal SDNN associated with PM2.5 exposure occurred within 2.5 hours. The largest decrease in nocturnal SDNN of -12.8% (95% CI -16.4 to -9.1%) that was associated with PM2.5 exposure was found with a lag of 25 minutes. Rapid changes in nocturnal heart rate variability associated with personal PM2.5 exposure occurred within the previous 2.5 hours, with the largest effects at 25 minutes, suggesting immediate cardiac autonomic effects of fine particulate exposure.

Effect of Personal Exposure to PM2.5 on Respiratory Health in a Mexican Panel of Patients with COPD.

Background: Air pollution is a problem, especially in developing countries. We examined the association between personal exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) on respiratory health in a group of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: All participants resided in Mexico City and during follow-up, personal exposure to PM2.5, respiratory symptoms, medications, and daily activity were registered daily. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured twice daily, from February through December, 2000, in 29 adults with moderate, severe, and very severe COPD. PEF changes were estimated for each 10 µg/m3 increment of PM2.5, adjustment for severity of COPD, minimum temperature, and day of the sampling. Results: For a 10-µg/m3 increase in the daily average of a two-day personal exposure to PM2.5, there was a significant 33% increase in cough (95% CI, range, 5‒69%), and 23% in phlegm (95% CI, range, 2‒54%), a reduction of the PEF average in the morning of −1.4 L/min. (95% CI , range, −2.8 to −0.04), and at night of −3.0 L/min (95% CI, range, −5.7 to −0.3), respectively. Conclusions: Exposure to PM2.5 was associated with reductions in PEF and increased respiratory symptoms in adults with COPD. The PEF reduction was observed both at morning and at night.

Investigating The Acute Effects Of Personal Exposure To Black Carbon On Blood Pressure In Indian Women Cooking With Biomass Fuels

We conducted a panel study of rural Indian women to assess whether exposure to household air pollution was associated with acute (within minutes) changes in blood pressure while cooking with biomass fuels and traditional stoves. We enrolled 45 women (aged 25-66 years) and simultaneously measured their personal real-time exposure to black carbon and ambulatory blood pressure at 10-minute intervals during a cook session (durations:

Time series analysis of personal exposure to ambient air pollution and mortality using an exposure simulator

This paper describes a modeling framework for estimating the acute effects of personal exposure to ambient air pollution in a time series design. First, a spatial hierarchical model is used to relate Census tract-level daily ambient concentrations and simulated exposures for a subset of the study period. The complete exposure time series is then imputed for risk estimation. Modeling exposure via a statistical model reduces the computational burden associated with simulating personal exposures considerably. This allows us to consider personal exposures at a finer spatial resolution to improve exposure assessment and for a longer study period. The proposed approach is applied to an analysis of fine particulate matter of <2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM(2.5)) and daily mortality in the New York City metropolitan area during the period 2001-2005. Personal PM(2.5) exposures were simulated from the Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation. Accounting for exposure uncertainty, the authors estimated a 2.32% (95% posterior interval: 0.68, 3.94) increase in mortality per a 10 μg/m(3) increase in personal exposure to PM(2.5) from outdoor sources on the previous day. The corresponding estimates per a 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM(2.5) ambient concentration was 1.13% (95% confidence interval: 0.27, 2.00). The risks of mortality associated with PM(2.5) were also higher during the summer months.

Integrating Air-related Health Surveillance into Air Quality Management: Perceptions and Practicalities

Health surveillance is presently not an integral part of air quality management in South Africa, although ambient air pollution standards are derived from health effects of personal exposure. In a survey to air quality officials and environmental health practitioners (n = 361 ), respondents were asked to comment on a discussion document regarding ways to put health onto the air quality management agenda. Less than 7% of the sample (n = 23) responded, the most likely reasons being: overloaded staff; lack of knowledge about air quality-related health; and apathy. All respondents acknowledged their support of the concepts, one suggested inclusion of PM25 and airspora over and above criteria pollutants, and one mentioned use of an indicator 'number of complaints of visual air pollution and odour'. In general, it would appear that the links between air quality and health risks are not well understood and, more importantly, assessing airrelated health outcomes with respect to air quality is not a part of Local Municipalities' Integrated Development Plans. To motivate for necessary changes in Health Information Systems and data management, evidence of valuable application is required. Without readily available health facility and local municipality-specific data on respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, it will prove difficult to track whether implemented air pollution mitigation measures will have positive health impacts.

Prohypertensive Effect of Gestational Personal Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter. Prospective Cohort Study in Non-smoking and Non-obese Pregnant Women

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is a recognized risk factor for elevated blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease in adults, and this prospective cohort study was undertaken to evaluate whether gestational exposure to PM2.5 has a prohypertensive effect. We measured personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by personal air monitoring in the second trimester of pregnancy among 431 women, and BP values in the third trimester were obtained from medical records of prenatal care clinics. In the general estimating equation model, the effect of PM2.5 on BP was adjusted for relevant covariates such as maternal age, education, parity, gestational weight gain (GWG), prepregnancy BMI, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and blood lead level. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased in a linear fashion across a dosage of PM2.5 and on average augmented by 6.1 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.6–11.6) with log unit of PM2.5 concentration. Effects of age, maternal education, prepregnancy BMI, blood lead level, and ETS were insignificant. Women with excessive gestational weight gain (>18 kg) had higher mean SBP parameters by 5.5 mmHg (95% CI, 2.7–8.3). In contrast, multiparous women had significantly lower SBP values (coeff. = −4.2 mm Hg; 95% CI, −6.8 to −1.6). Similar analysis performed for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) has demonstrated that PM2.5 also affected DBP parameters (coeff. = 4.1; 95% CI, −0.02 to 8.2), but at the border significance level. DBP values were positively associated with the excessive GWG (coeff. = 2.3; 95% CI, 0.3–4.4) but were inversely related to parity (coeff. = −2.7; 95% CI, −4.6 to −0.73). In the observed cohort, the exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy was associated with increased maternal blood pressure.

Effects of particulate air pollution on blood pressure in a highly exposed population in Beijing, China: a repeated-measure study

BackgroundParticulate Matter (PM) exposure is critical in Beijing due to high population density and rapid increase in vehicular traffic. PM effects on blood pressure (BP) have been investigated as a mechanism mediating cardiovascular risks, but results are still inconsistent. The purpose of our study is to determine the effects of ambient and personal PM exposure on BP.MethodsBefore the 2008 Olympic Games (June 15-July 27), we examined 60 truck drivers and 60 office workers on two days, 1-2 weeks apart (n = 240). We obtained standardized measures of post-work BP. Exposure assessment included personal PM2.5 and Elemental Carbon (EC, a tracer of traffic particles) measured using portable monitors during work hours; and ambient PM10 averaged over 1-8 days pre-examination. We examined associations of exposures (exposure group, personal PM2.5/EC, ambient PM10) with BP controlling for multiple covariates.ResultsMean personal PM2.5 was 94.6 μg/m3 (SD = 64.9) in office workers and 126.8 (SD = 68.8) in truck drivers (p-value < 0.001). In all participants combined, a 10 μg/m3 increase in 8-day ambient PM10 was associated with BP increments of 0.98 (95%CI 0.34; 1.61; p-value = 0.003), 0.71 (95%CI 0.18; 1.24; p-value = 0.01), and 0.81 (95%CI 0.31; 1.30; p-value = 0.002) mmHg for systolic, diastolic, and mean BP, respectively. BP was not significantly different between the two groups (p-value > 0.14). Personal PM2.5 and EC during work hours were not associated with increased BP.ConclusionsOur results indicate delayed effects of ambient PM10 on BP. Lack of associations with exposure groups and personal PM2.5/EC indicates that PM effects are related to background levels of pollution in Beijing, and not specifically to work-related exposure.

Exploration of the Rapid Effects of Personal Fine Particulate Matter Exposure on Arterial Hemodynamics and Vascular Function during the Same Day

BackgroundLevels of fine particulate matter [≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5)] are associated with alterations in arterial hemodynamics and vascular function. However, the characteristics of the same-day exposure–response relationships remain unclear.ObjectivesWe aimed to explore the effects of personal PM2.5 exposures within the preceding 24 hr on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), brachial artery diameter (BAD), endothelial function [flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)], and nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NMD).MethodsFifty-one nonsmoking subjects had up to 5 consecutive days of 24-hr personal PM2.5 monitoring and daily cardiovascular (CV) measurements during summer and/or winter periods. The associations between integrated hour-long total personal PM2.5 exposure (TPE) levels (continuous nephelometry among compliant subjects with low secondhand tobacco smoke exposures; n = 30) with the CV outcomes were assessed over a 24-hr period by linear mixed models.ResultsWe observed the strongest associations (and smallest estimation errors) between HR and TPE recorded 1–10 hr before CV measurements. The associations were not pronounced for the other time lags (11–24 hr). The associations between TPE and FMD or BAD did not show as clear a temporal pattern. However, we found some suggestion of a negative association with FMD and a positive association with BAD related to TPE just before measurement (0–2 hr).ConclusionsBrief elevations in ambient TPE levels encountered during routine daily activity were associated with small increases in HR and trends toward conduit arterial vasodilatation and endothelial dysfunction within a few hours of exposure. These responses could reflect acute PM2.5-induced autonomic imbalance and may factor in the associated rapid increase in CV risk among susceptible individuals.

Acute effects of personal day-time noise exposure on heart rate variability

Acute effects of personal day-time noise exposure on heart rate variability

The effects of exposure to crisis on well-being of journalists: a study of crisis-related factors predicting psychological health in a sample of Finnish journalists

Effects of work-related and personal exposure to potentially traumatic events on PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), depression, compassion fatigue and burnout were examined in 503 Finnish news journalists (238 men, 265 women) by using a web-based survey. Stepwise linear multiple regression analyses showed that two variables significantly predicted all four outcome factors, i.e. PTSD, depression, compassion fatigue and burnout: the variables were personal exposure to traumatic events, including reactions caused by the event and the magnitude of the worst crisis-related assignment experienced as a journalist.An interaction effect was also found: respondents with high scores on both traumatic experiences in their personal life and a high amount of professional crisis-related assignments had a significantly higher level of PTSD symptoms than others.

Effects of Personal Exposure to Particulate Matter and Ozone on Arterial Stiffness and Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Adults

The effects on heart rate variability (HRV) and arterial stiffness from exposure to ambient particulate matter and ozone have not been studied simultaneously. The aim of this study was to analyze these effects with refined exposure estimates from personal measurements of ozone and size-resolved particulate matter mass concentrations. The authors recruited 17 mail carriers in a panel study in Taipei County, Taiwan, during February-March, 2007, and each subject was followed for 5-6 days. Personal ozone and size-fractionated particulate matter exposures were monitored during working hours while carriers delivered mail outdoors. Cardiovascular effects were evaluated with heart rate variability (HRV) indices and an arterial stiffness index, the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). The authors used linear mixed models to examine the association between personal exposure data and the HRV index and CAVI. They found that an interquartile range increase in personal exposure to ozone and particulate matter of between 1.0 and 2.5 microm was associated with a 4.8% and 2.5% increase in CAVI, respectively, in the single-pollutant models. In contrast, the personal exposure data showed no significant effects on HRV. In 2-pollutant models, personal ozone exposure remained significantly associated with the CAVI measurements. The study results indicate that vascular function may be more sensitive to air pollutants than the autonomic balance.

Effect of Personal Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution from Solid Fuel on Lung Symptoms and Function in Women: An Exposure-Response Analysis from the Guatemala Woodstove Randomised Control Trial

Effect of Personal Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution from Solid Fuel on Lung Symptoms and Function in Women: An Exposure-Response Analysis from the Guatemala Woodstove Randomised Control Trial

Effects of Indoor, Outdoor, and Personal Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Physiology and Systemic Mediators in Seniors

To investigate the associations between exposure to particulate air pollution and changes in cardiovascular function and plasma mediators in seniors. We monitored daily indoor and outdoor black carbon and particulate matter < or = 2.5 microm (pm(2.5)) and personal pm(2.5) repeatedly for 28 nonsmoking seniors. We then measured their blood pressure, heart rate, and brachial artery function, and determined plasma mediators of inflammation, vascular function, and oxidative stress. We tested associations using mixed-effects models. Increases in black carbon and pm2.5 were associated with increases in blood pressure, heart rate, endothelin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and oxidative stress marker thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and a decrease in brachial artery diameter (P < 0.05). Daily exposure to particulate pollution, likely traffic-related, may result in adverse effects on cardiovascular function and blood mediators that modulate vascular system in seniors.

Who Reaps the Benefits, Who Bears the Risks? Comparative Optimism, Comparative Utility, and Regulatory Preferences for Mobile Phone Technology

Although the issue of risk target (e.g., self, others, children) is widely acknowledged in risk perception research, its importance appears underappreciated. To date, most research has been satisfied with demonstrating comparative optimism, i.e., lower perceived risk for the self than others, and exploring its moderators, such as perceived controllability and personal exposure. Much less research has investigated how the issue of target may affect benefit perceptions or key outcomes such as stated preferences for hazard regulation. The current research investigated these issues using data from a public survey of attitudes toward mobile phone technology (N= 1,320). First, results demonstrated comparative optimism for this hazard, and also found moderating effects of both controllability and personal exposure. Second, there was evidence of comparative utility, i.e., users believed that the benefits from mobile phone technology are greater for the self than others. Third, and most important for policy, preferences for handset regulation were best predicted by perceptions of the risks to others but perceived benefits for the self. Results suggest a closer awareness of target can improve prediction of stated preferences for hazard regulation and that it would be profitable for future research to pay more attention to the issue of target for both risk and benefit perceptions.

Effects of Personal Exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide on Peak Expiratory Flow in Asthmatic Patients

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has been inconsistently associated with gradual decreases in lung function. Here, we studied the effects of NO2 exposure in asthmatics by examining the association between changes in lung function and concentrations of NO2 which were personally measured. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) and daily personal exposures to NO2 were recorded on 28 patients with asthma (confirmed by methacholine provocation test) over 4 weeks. We used generalized estimating equations to assess the relationship between personal NO2 exposure and PEF, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, gender, outdoor particulate matter, temperature, humidity, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. The personal NO2 exposures were higher than the corresponding ambient levels. The mean personal: ambient ratio for NO2 was 1.48. The personal NO2 exposures were not associated with the morning PEF, evening PEF, or the diurnal PEF variability. However, environmental tobacco smoke was negatively associated with both the morning and evening PEF. Among the asthmatic adults who participated in this study, we found no apparent impact of personal NO2 exposures on the peak expiratory flow.

Effects of Personal Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution on Diabetic Patients-Changes in Cardiovascular System and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

P-036 Abstract: Daily variations in exposure to particulate air pollution have been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Some studies have suggested that people with diabetes mellitus are vulnerable to cardiovascular health effects associated with exposure to air pollution. We hypothesized that a short-term exposure of diabetic patients in Windsor Ontario Canada to elevated levels of particulate matter (PM10) was associated with impaired cardiovascular function, and increased blood pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Non-smoking diabetics (n = 25, twenty one of them were type II diabetics, and 15 were females), age 27–67 years (mean 46.2) were recruited for the study. Patients were followed for 7 weeks, total of 171 visits. One day before each visit, patients were given a personal PM10 monitor to wear for approximately 24 hours. Upon visiting the clinic, brachial artery diameter, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), heart rate and blood pressure were measured, and blood samples were drawn to determine the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, an oxidative stress marker), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6. To analyze the associations between personal exposure to PM10 and health outcomes, mixed-effects models were used assuming random slopes and random intercepts. Ambient temperature, glucose, and study time were adjusted when needed. Subjects were also stratified into groups of body mass index (BMI) <29 and ≥29 (the 50th percentile), with and without cardiovascular medication use, and with and without high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. The 24-hour median concentration of PM10 was 25.5 μg/m3 (5th–95th percentile 9.8–133 μg/m3). FMD was negatively associated with high BMI (p = 0.022) and high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol (p = 0.078), indicating a relationship between the brachial artery narrowness and these cardiovascular risk factors. PM10 was significantly associated with a decrease in basal brachial artery diameter (p = 0.006), and an increase in CRP (p = 0.086) and TBARS (p = 0.001), the latter two having been linked to reduced endothelial relaxation factor nitric oxide. These changes occurred only in subjects not taking cardiovascular medication. In this sub-group, PM10 was also associated with elevated diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.027). PM10 did not have an adverse impact on FMD, heart rate, TNF-α, or interleukin-6. In conclusion, our results suggest that daily exposure to particulate air pollution may be linked to an impaired basal arterial dilatation in diabetic patients, possibly attributable to a reduced nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation associated with oxidative stress and an influx of CRP.

Nasal inflammation and personal exposure to fine particles PM2.5 in asthmatic children

Outdoor and indoor air pollutants are suspected to induce harmful effects on respiratory health, raising the question of their involvement in allergic asthma and rhinitis. The potential effect of short-term personal exposure to particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microm (PM2.5) on nasal inflammation was examined in children living in the Paris area. Forty-one children with allergic asthma and 44 healthy children participated in this study. They were monitored during 48 hours for their personal exposure to PM2.5. At the end of the measurement period, children underwent one nasal lavage. Nasal lavage fluid was investigated for cellular (neutrophils and eosinophils) and soluble (albumin, urea, elastase, alpha1-antitrypsin, IL-6, and IL-8) mediators. Pollutant concentrations did not differ between the 2 groups. In asthmatic subjects, but not in healthy children, personal PM2.5 levels were correlated to nasal percentage of eosinophils and to albumin, urea, and alpha1-antitrypsin concentrations after adjustment for confounders (age, sex, house dust mites, pollens, cat, environmental tobacco smoke through urinary cotinine, barometric pressure, and respiratory infection). The association observed with the percentage of eosinophils supports recent speculations on fine particle involvement in allergic phenotype overexpression. This study highlights the link between personal fine particle exposures and nasal inflammation in asthmatic allergic children living in urban areas. Because the view of united airways is still not completely understood, the question of pulmonary inflammation in such a situation deserves further investigation.