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Combined effect of sulfur dioxide and cold in exercising asthmatics

Journal Article · · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)
Twenty-four asthmatic volunteers were exposed to 0, 0.3, and 0.6 ppm sulfur dioxide (SO/sub 2/) in purified background air at each of three temperatures - 21/sup 0/, 7/sup 0/, and -6/sup 0/C - in a controlled-environment chamber. Relative humidity was approximately 80%. Exposures consisted of 5 min heavy exercise periods plus brief warmup and cooldown periods. Airway resistance, thoracic gas volume, and symptoms were measured immediately before and after exposure. For the group, increasing SO/sub 2/ concentration and decreasing temperature were associated with statistically significant unfavorable effects on airway resistance and respiratory symptoms, as expected from previous findings. Effects of SO/sub 2/ and cold usually appeared to combine in an additive or less-than-additive fashion; there was little evidence of synergism. Individuals' response patterns were variable: a few suggested synergism, but others suggested a mitigating effect of cold on the bronchoconstrictive response to SO/sub 2/.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Southern California, Downey
OSTI ID:
5606398
Journal Information:
Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 39:5; ISSN AEHLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English