Programmet

Programme

Kalendarium

Calendar

Publikationer

Publications

Sökbara medel

Funding

Deltagare

Members

Arbetsgrupper

Working groups

Länkar

Links

Sajtkarta

Sitemap

Projekt

Projects

Stockholm acute effects study from exposure to air pollution in a road tunnel (SALUT II). 
Several studies in the last decades have confirmed that daily variations in ambient air pollution levels are associated with daily variations in daily variation in hospital morbidity as well as mortality. Moderate levels of air pollution has also been shown to be associated with increased mortality in long term follow up studies.

The health effects have mainly been related to cardiovascular and pulmonary effects. The mechanisms mediating these effects are to a large extent unknown. Proposed mechanisms concerns autonomic regulation of the heart, inflammation and coagulation effects and possible direct metal toxicity on the heart muscle. There is furthermore very little information available regarding sensitive groups.

We have earlier in a couple of controlled chamber exposure studies in Stockholm been able to demonstrate that short term exposure (30 minutes) to 500 m g/m³ NO2 enhances the response to a standardized low dose allergen challenge 4 hours later in subjects whit mild asthma. A similar finding was also seen after an air pollution exposure in a Road tunnel. Subjects exposed to levels greater than 300 m g/m³ NO2 and 100 m g/m³ showed a greater effect on pulmonary function and symptom score. The effects is probably mediated through local inflammation. In Umeå a model has been developed for exposure to diesel exhaust. They have been able to demonstrate neutrophil inflammation and increased production of interleukines using bronchiolar lavage and bronchial biopsis in healthy subjects.

The aim of the present study is to monitor the effect from real life exposure on relevant parameters that has been proposed to be associated with severe health outcomes in healthy subjects and potentially sensitive groups.

We will use real life exposure in a road tunnel in Stockholm For three different groups. 15 healthy young volunteers without allergy or asthma.10 subjects with mild to moderate asthma and 10 subjects, with chronic bronchitis with normal lung function. Exposure will be monitored sampling PM2.5, number concentrations of particles including ultrafine particles, NO, NO2, total hydrocarbons, and CO.

Effect evaluation will include induced fiberoptic bronchoscopy examination with endobronchial biopsies, bronchial lavage and serum inflammatory/coagulation factor markers and heart rate variability.