Reaction of the lung to air pollutant exposure

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1974 · Life Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(74)90002-2· OSTI ID:6537531

Kavet, R I; Brian, J D

Epidemiological and laboratory studies of the effects of various air pollutants on the lung are reviewed. Urban air pollutants, when administered to laboratory animals, adversely affect pulmonary structure and function. Effects include decrease in airway caliber, changes in lung elasticity, degeneration or destruction of tissue, and impaired pulmonary defense mechanisms. Urban dwellers subjected to pollutant exposures might incur similar health risks. The substances reviewed are: reducing pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and associated particulates; and oxidizing (or photochemical) pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Epidemiological studies have shown that high pollutant levels in both reducing and oxidizing environments can produce exacerbating effects on pre-existing respiratory conditions. However, evidence implicating photochemical pollutants as an initiator of increased human morbidity or mortality is still lacking. Photochemical oxidants interfere with athletic performance and produce sensory irritation. Environmental exposure to SO/sub 2/ and particulates has been associated with impairment of pulmonary function and increased prevalence of chronic bronchitis and increased incidence of acute respiratory disease. Environmental controls can help alleviate respiratory symptoms, prevent further lung injury, and allow healing processes to return damaged tissue toward a more normal state.

• OSTI ID: 6537531
• Journal Information: Life Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Life Sci.; (United States) Vol. 15:5; ISSN LIFSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BRONCHITIS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DISEASES
ELASTICITY
EPIDEMIOLOGY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAN
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MORTALITY
NECROSIS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PARTICLES
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PHOTOCHEMISTRY
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
PUBLIC HEALTH
REDUCTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TISSUES
URBAN AREAS
VERTEBRATES