Effects of inhalation of acidic compounds on pulmonary function in allergic adolescent subjects

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8979173· OSTI ID:5900669

Koenig, J Q; Covert, D S; Pierson, W E

There is concern about the human health effects of inhalation of acid compounds found in urban air pollution. It was the purpose of this study to investigate three of these acid compounds, sulfur dioxide (SO/sub 2/), sulfuric acid (H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/), and nitric acid (HNO/sub 3/) in a group of allergic adolescent subjects. Subjects were exposed during rest and moderate exercise to 0.7 mumole/m/sup 3/ (68 micrograms/m/sup 3/) H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, 4.0 mumole/m/sup 3/ (0.1 ppm) SO/sub 2/, or 2.0 mumole/m/sup 3/ (0.05 ppm) HNO/sub 3/. Pulmonary functions (FEV1, total respiratory resistance, and maximal flow) were measured before and after exposure. Preliminary analysis based on nine subjects indicates that exposure to 0.7 mumole/m/sup 3/ H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ alone and in combination with SO/sub 2/ caused significant changes in pulmonary function, whereas exposure to air or SO/sub 2/ alone did not. FEV1 decreased an average of 6% after exposure to H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ alone and 4% when the aerosol was combined with SO/sub 2/. The FEV1 decrease was 2% after both air and SO/sub 2/ exposures. Total respiratory resistance (RT) increased 15% after the combined H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ exposures, 12% after H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ alone, and 7% after exposure to air. After exposures to HNO3 alone, FEV1 decreased by 4%, and RT increased by 23%. These results are preliminary; final conclusions must wait for completion of the study.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5900669
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Vol. 79
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
TOXICITY
LUNGS
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
NITRIC ACID
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFURIC ACID
ADOLESCENTS
AIR POLLUTION
ALLERGY
ASTHMA
BRONCHI
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INHALATION
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SENSITIVITY
URBAN AREAS
AGE GROUPS
ANIMALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BODY
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DISEASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
INTAKE
MAMMALS
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
RAIN
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
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560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology