Indoor and outdoor pollutants and the upper respiratory tract

Journal Article · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-6749(88)90180-7· OSTI ID:7138463

Koenig, J Q

The health effects of both indoor and outdoor air pollutants are of increasing concern. The health effects of outdoor air pollutants traditionally have been assessed through measurements of lower respiratory tract changes. However, it has been shown that one outdoor air pollutant, sulfur dioxide, decreases nasal mucus flow and increases nasal airway resistance. Along with cigarette smoke, indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, cadmium, and ammonium or sulfate ions have been shown to alter upper airway mucociliary function. Emissions from wood stoves are known to irritate the upper airways. Measurement of nasal airway resistance using posterior rhinomanometry allows quantification of nasal function. This technique recently has been used to demonstrate that adolescents with allergic asthma have increased work of breathing after inhalation of 0.5 ppm sulfur dioxide. Another study using posterior rhinomanometry showed that clerical workers had increased work of breathing after exposure to carbonless copy paper as compared with bond paper. This brief review of upper respiratory tract changes after pollutant exposure should serve as a reminder that a complete clinical history must include questions designed to ascertain the patient's exposure history to both outdoor and indoor air pollutants. These exposures can have a major impact on the health of the upper respiratory system. 14 references.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7138463
• Journal Information: J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.; (United States) Vol. 81; ISSN JACIB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CADMIUM
CHALCOGENIDES
ELEMENTS
FACE
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDS
HEAD
HEALTH HAZARDS
METALS
NOSE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PAPER
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SENSITIVITY
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES