Health effects of short-term inhalation of nitrogen dioxide and ozone mixtures

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(77)90034-2· OSTI ID:5089168

Ehrlich, R ^[1]; Findlay, J C; Fenters, J D; Gardner, D E

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1. IIT Research Inst., Chicago

The effects of single and multiple daily 3-hour exposures to nitrogen dioxide (NO/sub 2/) and ozone (O/sub 3/) mixtures on the resistance to steptococcal pneumonia were investigated. The concentrations of NO/sub 2/ ranged from 1.5 to 5.0 ppM, and those of O/sub 3/, from 0.05 to 0.5 ppM. The effect of a single exposure to the mixture was additive, whereby the excess mortality rates were equivalent to those induced by the inhalation of each individual pollutant. The ability to clear inhaled bacteria from the lungs was diminished in mice exposed to the NO/sub 2/-O/sub 3/ mixtures for 3 hours. This impairment was manifested by the increased frequency of isolation of Streptococcus from the lungs for up to 6 days after the respiratory challenge. Excess mortalities observed after 20 daily 3-hour exposures suggested that a synergistic effect might be present upon repeated inhalation of pollutant mixtures, that made them more effective in reducing resistance to respiratory infection. The results emphasize the need for the establishment of primary air quality standards for short-term NO/sub 2/ exposures.

• OSTI ID: 5089168
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 14:2; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
ANIMALS
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CHALCOGENIDES
DISEASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MICE
MICROORGANISMS
MORTALITY
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PNEUMONIA
POLLUTION
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RODENTS
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
STREPTOCOCCUS
SYNERGISM
TOLERANCE
VERTEBRATES