BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that continuous exposure to nitrous acid gas (HONO) for 4 weeks, at a concentration of 3.6 parts per million (ppm), induced pulmonary emphysema-like alterations in guinea pigs. In addition, we found that HONO affected asthma symptoms, based on the measurement of respiratory function in rats exposed to 5.8 ppm HONO. This study aimed to investigate the dose-response effects of HONO exposure on the histopathological alterations in the respiratory tract of guinea pigs to determine the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of HONO. METHODS: We continuously exposed male Hartley guinea pigs (n = 5) to four different concentrations of HONO (0.0, 0.1, 0.4, and 1.7 ppm) for 4 weeks (24 h/day). We performed histopathological analysis by observing lung tissue samples. We examined samples from three guinea pigs in each group under a light microscope and measured the alveolar mean linear intercept (Lm) and the thickness of the bronchial smooth muscle layer. We further examined samples from two guinea pigs in each group under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: We observed the following dose-dependent changes: pulmonary emphysema-like alterations in the centriacinar regions of alveolar ducts, significant increase in Lm in the 1.7 ppm HONO-exposure group, tendency for hyperplasia and pseudostratification of bronchial epithelial cells, and extension of the bronchial epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells in the alveolar duct regions. CONCLUSIONS These histopathological findings suggest that the LOAEL of HONO is < 0.1 ppm.
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Animals ; Bronchi ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Emphysema ; chemically induced ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Guinea Pigs ; Hyperplasia ; chemically induced ; Inhalation Exposure ; adverse effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; Nitrous Acid ; toxicity

BACKGROUND: Although lead neurotoxicity is a known phenomenon, it can often be missed at a primary or secondary care level especially if detailed environmental exposure history is missed. METHODS: This is an outbreak investigation where we observed 15 pediatric cases with neurologic signs and symptoms clustered in a slum area known for an unorganized artificial jewelry industry. Their clinical, biochemical, and epidemiological features were compared with 14 other children from the same region reporting with non-neurological symptoms who were considered as unmatched controls. RESULTS: Cases with neurological manifestations had a higher in-house lead smelting activity [OR 7.2 (95% CI 1.4-38.3)] as compared to controls. Toddlers below 3 years of age were more vulnerable to the effects of lead. CONCLUSION This study emphasizes that many focal sources of lead poisoning still remain especially in the unorganized sector. In cases presenting with unexplained neurotoxicity, specific occupational and environmental inquiry for chemical poisoning, with special consideration for lead, should be actively pursued.
Adolescent ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; India ; epidemiology ; Infant ; Inhalation Exposure ; adverse effects ; Jewelry ; poisoning ; Lead ; blood ; standards ; Lead Poisoning ; epidemiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Metallurgy ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; epidemiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Poverty Areas ; Risk Factors

Objective: The number of children with polydactyly is increasing. In addition to genetic factors, an influence of maternal behavior or environmental effects during pregnancy is becoming increasingly apparent. However, epidemiological data on these effects are lacking. Methods: This hospital-based, case-control study enrolled 143 infants with polydactyly and 286 controls without genetic diseases to evaluate the association between active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy and the likelihood of giving birth to a child with polydactyly. Results: Active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of giving birth to a child with polydactyly (active smoking: OR=4.74, 95%CI: 1.43-15.65, P=0.011; passive smoking: OR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.32-4.44, P=0.004). After adjusting for confounders, smoking during pregnancy remained significant influence on polydactyly (active smoking: aOR=7.27, 95%CI: 1.72-30.72, P=0.007; passive smoking: aOR=2.41, 95%CI: 1.11-5.23, P=0.026). Conclusion: Active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy appears to be a risk factor for polydactyly in newborns.
Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Fingers/abnormalities* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Inhalation Exposure/statistics & numerical data* ; Maternal Exposure/statistics & numerical data* ; Polydactyly/epidemiology* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; Smoking/adverse effects* ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/statistics & numerical data*

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether inhalable particulate matters can cause the damage of chromosome or mitotic apparatus to produce micronucleus, and to evaluate genetic toxicology of moxa smoke on chromosome.

METHODSBy MTT method, the 24 h half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of moxa smoke condensation (MSC) on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was 0.087 mg/mL. CHO cells, which were cultured in vitro, were divided into a solvent control group, a positive control group (cyclophosphamide as solvent), a low concentration group, a moderate concentration group and a high concentration group. The low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group were set approximately 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 of IC50, respectively. Whether micronucleus had dose-effect response induced by the damage of chromosome or mitotic apparatus was observed after CHO cells were contaminated by MSC in the low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group.

RESULTSThe rate of micronucleus induced by MSC in the low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group was higher than that in the solvent control group (all P < 0.05), which presented dosage-effect response. The experiment was repeated 3 times, indicating it was repeatable with statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONHigh concentration of MSC shows toxicity to induce chromosome damage, which disappears at low concentration. The genetic toxicology is also dependent on concentration, and the concentration of moxa smoke is essential. In clinical treatment, it is noted to control the level of moxa smoke, while the clinical safety standard of moxa smoke concentration is in need of further study.

Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Inhalation Exposure ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Micronucleus Tests ; Moxibustion ; adverse effects ; Particulate Matter ; adverse effects ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; analysis

Ammonia is commonly used in industry and agriculture. It is also one of the most frequently accidentally spilled chemicals. Exposure to ammonia can cause severe cutaneous burn or freezing injury, ocular injury, and inhalation injury, among them inhalation injury is the most lethal one. Although the diagnosis and treatment of ammonia burns have been improved, the long-term prognosis is not satisfactory. In this article, we reviewed the literature concerning ammonia burns, in order to summarize the clinical features and treatment of such injury.
Ammonia ; adverse effects ; Burns, Chemical ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Burns, Inhalation ; Humans ; Inhalation Exposure ; adverse effects ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of formaldehyde inhalation on the allergic rhinitis mice model. METHOD: Forty-eight male BALB/C mice in six experimental group were exposure to (A) saline control; (B) Der p1; (C) formaldehyde (3.0 mg/m3); (D) Derp1 + formaldehyde (1.5 mg/m3); (E) Der p1 + formaldehyde (3.0 mg/M3); (F) Der p1+ formaldehyde (6.0 mg/m3). The concentrations of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ in the peripheral serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Nasal mucosal inflammation was evaluated by HE staining. Result: Formaldehyde exposure could increase the number of allergic rhinitis mice with sneezing and rubbing nose. The levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in group B, D, E and F were higher than that ingroup A (P < 0.05). Compared with the group C, the group D, E and F could effectively increase serum IL-4 and IL-10. The concentration of IL-4 in group E and F was higher than that of group B, while the group C was lower (P < 0.05). The concentration of IL-10 in group D, E and F was higher than that in group B (P < 0.05). The expression of IFN-γ in group B, D, E and F was lower than that in group A. While, the IFN-γ expression in group B was lower than that of group C and higher than that in group F (P < 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of IFN-γ in group D, E and F was lower compared with group C (P < 0.05). The nasal mucosa HE staining showed that the density of EOS increased simultaneously in formaldehyde exposure allergic rhinitis groups. CONCLUSION The study showed that formaldehyde exposure can promote Th2 cytokines and eosinophil infiltration and then aggravate the allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; Arthropod Proteins ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Formaldehyde ; adverse effects ; Inflammation ; Inhalation Exposure ; adverse effects ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nasal Mucosa ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; chemically induced

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although indoor air pollution is a well-known risk factor for tuberculosis (TB), the possible link between outdoor air pollution and TB development has not been examined fully. We assessed the impact of outdoor air pollution on TB development in the Seoul metropolitan area, South Korea. METHODS: The mean concentrations of ambient particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter < or = 10 microm (PM10), O3, CO, NO2, and SO2 levels in Seoul, between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2006, were determined. Furthermore, their association with the risk of developing TB after adjusting for socioeconomic status, between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2006, was investigated. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2006, a total of 41,185 TB cases were reported in Seoul. Concentrations of PM10, O3, CO, and NO2 were not associated with TB incidence in males or females. However, the interquartile increase in SO2 concentration was associated with a 7% increment in TB incidence (relative risk [RR], 1.07; 95% credible interval [CrI], 1.03 to 1.12) in males but not in females (RR, 1.02; 95% CrI, 0.98 to 1.07). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to ambient SO2 increased the risk of TB in males.
Adult ; Aged ; Air Pollution, Indoor/*adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Particle Size ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Sulfur Dioxide/*adverse effects ; Time Factors ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis/*epidemiology/microbiology ; *Urban Health

Gaseous molecules continue to hold new promise in molecular medicine as experimental and clinical therapeutics. The low molecular weight gas carbon monoxide (CO), and similar gaseous molecules (e.g., H2S, nitric oxide) have been implicated as potential inhalation therapies in inflammatory diseases. At high concentration, CO represents a toxic inhalation hazard, and is a common component of air pollution. CO is also produced endogenously as a product of heme degradation catalyzed by heme oxygenase enzymes. CO binds avidly to hemoglobin, causing hypoxemia and decreased oxygen delivery to tissues at high concentrations. At physiological concentrations, CO may have endogenous roles as a signal transduction molecule in the regulation of neural and vascular function and cellular homeostasis. CO has been demonstrated to act as an effective anti-inflammatory agent in preclinical animal models of inflammation, acute lung injury, sepsis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and organ transplantation. Additional experimental indications for this gas include pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, metabolic diseases, and preeclampsia. The development of chemical CO releasing compounds constitutes a novel pharmaceutical approach to CO delivery with demonstrated effectiveness in sepsis models. Current and pending clinical evaluation will determine the usefulness of this gas as a therapeutic in human disease.
Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage/adverse effects/metabolism/*therapeutic use ; Carbon Monoxide/administration & dosage/adverse effects/metabolism/*therapeutic use ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects ; Gases ; Heme/metabolism ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)/metabolism ; Humans ; Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects ; Risk Assessment ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the expression and role of the mitogen activated protein kinases (ERK1/2, P38, JNK) in phosgene induced lung injury in rats in vivo.

METHOD30 male wistar rats were randomized into the group as follows, Gas inhalation control group, Phosgene inhalation group, and the following groups of the inhibitors of MAPK, involving SP600125, PD98059 and SB203580, 6 animals in each group, we copy the model of phosgene-induced lung injury, used the directional flow-inhalation device, the air control group inhaled the air, and the intervention groups were given PD98059 (intraperitoneal injection), SB203580 (hypodermic injection), SP600125 (intravenous) respectively before the inhalation of phosgene. The locations and quantities of three subfamilies of MAPKs (ERK1/2, P38, JNK) and p-MAPKs (p-ERK1/2, p-P38, p-JNK) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot analysis respectively; The histopathological changes of lung tissues, the number of neutrophil cells and the W/D were examined.

RESULTThere were rare p-ERK1/2, p-P38 and p-JNK positive expression in alveolar and airway epithelial cells in control group. while the positive cells increased strikingly in phosgene inhalation groups, these cells involved in this process mainly included alveolar epithelial cells, air way epithelial cells, pleural mesothelial cells, infiltrative inflammatory cells, interstitium fibrocytes. After the intervention of the specific inhibitor, the positive cells decreased. As Western Blot analysis show, Protein quantities of p-P38 and p-JNK were higher in phosgene inhalation groups than those in control group, and the differences were significant (P < 0.05). Protein quantities of p-ERK1/2, p-P38 and p-JNK were lower in intervention groups than phosgene inhalation group, and the differences were significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The lung injury in phosgene inhalation groups was more severer compared with the control group, the typical pathological characters of acute lung injury were discovered, the increase of the number of neutrophil cells and W/D. After the intervention of the specific inhibitor SP600125 and SB203580, the number of neutrophil cells and W/D reduced, and the differences were significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPhosgene inhalation may activate the MAPK signaling pathway, and the expression of the phosphorylation of MAPKs increased, especially the P38 ang JNK. The results may contribute to the lung injury induced by phosgene.

Animals ; Inhalation Exposure ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosgene ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

INTRODUCTIONMethyl bromide is a toxic substance that has hazardous effects on human health with acute and chronic exposure. Our previous study showed that methyl bromide applicators frequently use large amounts of methyl bromide haphazardly in greenhouses in the prefectures of Narlidere and Balcova in the Aegean city of Izmir. This study aims to evaluate the health conditions of these workers.

MATERIALS AND METHODSOur previous study showed that there are 38 methyl bromide applicators in our study area. After the informed consent of methyl bromide applicators was obtained, a questionnaire was used for a survey of demography and symptoms. Each subject was examined before and after application of the compound. Blood and urine samples were collected and stored. Blood samples were analysed for methyl bromide and bromide ion, kidney and liver function tests and lipid profile.

RESULTSThe age range of subjects was 19 to 53 years (mean age: 41 +/- 8.57). This study showed that methyl bromide applicators use large amounts of methyl bromide disregarding legal regulations and that some of them had nonspecific complaints. Subjects had been working as methyl bromide applicators for approximately 9.7 +/- 4.15 years. A total of 69.7% of methyl bromide applicators reported that they did not use protective equipment while 33.3% of them had a history of acute methyl bromide intoxication. A statistically significant relationship was found between the usage of protective equipment and the level of blood bromide ion in the blood (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONUsage of methyl bromide, training, screening and follow-up of applicators must be rigorously controlled in accordance with national legal arrangements and international protocols. Greater efforts are required in the implementation of controls to achieve the targets set by the legal regulations and to ensure continual improvement in the limitation of the risks of this environmental hazard.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gardening ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Hydrocarbons, Brominated ; blood ; toxicity ; urine ; Inhalation Exposure ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Noxae ; blood ; toxicity ; urine ; Occupational Diseases ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Protective Clothing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Time Factors ; Turkey ; epidemiology