Nitrogen Oxides

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Murine Respiratory Mycoplasmosis: A Model to Study Effects of Oxidants

Research Report 47

Jerry K Davis

Maureen Davidson

Trenton R Schoeb

1991

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogen dioxide is an ubiquitous air pollutant resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels. When inhaled at high levels, it reacts with and damages lung cells, including those cells that fight infection. This damage can affect breathing and may increase the risk of respiratory infections. Dr. J.K. Davis and his colleagues at the University of Alabama, Birmingham examined whether exposure to lower levels of nitrogen dioxide (less than 5 ppm) compromises mouse lung defense.

The Effects of Exercise on Dose and Dose Distribution of Inhaled Automotive Pollutants

Research Report 45

Michael T Kleinman

William J Mautz

1991

Topics:

The human health effects that result from breathing air pollutants depend on the amount of pollutant inhaled from the air (exposure dose) and the amount of inhaled material that stays in the respiratory tract (retained dose). Because the retained dose of a pollutant may damage the respiratory tract and cause disease, it is a key factor for determining appropriate government regulations for air pollutants. Drs.

Mechanisms of Nitrogen Dioxide Toxicity in Humans

Research Report 43

Mark J Utell

Mark W Frampton

Norbert J Roberts Jr

Jacob N Finkelstein

Christopher Cox

Paul E Morrow

1991

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogen dioxide is an ubiquitous air pollutant that can react with and damages lung cells when inhaled at high levels. Although outdoor and indoor levels of nitrogen dioxide are usually below the annual standard of 0.053 ppm, peaks can occur that reach up to 10 times this standard. Dr. Mark Utell and coworkers at the University of Rochester examined the human health impacts of higher (peak) levels of nitrogen dioxide that exceed the annual standard. The investigators exposed healthy, nonasthmatic, human volunteers to either nitrogen dioxide or filtered air for three hours.

Oxidant Effects on Rat and Human Lung Proteinase Inhibitors

Research Report 37

David A Johnson

R Steve Winters

Kwan R Lee

Craig E Smith

1990

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Nitrogen Oxides

This report describes a study by Dr. Johnson and colleagues to test the hypothesis that inhaled oxidants can cause lung damage by inactivating the proteinase inhibitors that normally protect the lung from proteolysis. In the first set of experiments, the functional activity of rat alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (á1-PI) was measured in rat lung lavage fluid from rats exposed acutely or chronically to varying concentrations of NO₂, diesel exhaust, O₃, and O₃ in conjunction with CO₂.

Influence of Experimental Pulmonary Emphysema on Toxicological Effects from Inhaled Nitrogen Dioxide and Diesel Exhaust

Research Report 30

Joe L Mauderly

David E Bice

Yung S Cheng

Nancy A Gillett

Rogene F Henderson

John A Pickrell

Ronald K Wolff

1989

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

This report describes a study by Dr. Mauderly and colleagues to examine the influence of preexisting pulmonary emphysema on adverse health effects induced by chronic exposure of rats to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) or NO₂. Rats were exposed 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 24 months to 9.5 ppm NO₂ or 3.5 mg soot/m³ DEE. Prior to exposure, a subset of rats was instilled with the proteolytic enzyme elastase to induce pulmonary emphysema.

Nitrogen Dioxide and Respiratory Infection: Pilot Investigations

Research Report 28

Jonathan M Samet

John Spengler

1989

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

This report describes two pilot investigations for a longitudinal study of infants designed to determine if NO₂ exposure from cooking stoves increases the incidence or severity of respiratory infections during the first 18 months of life. In the first study, Drs. Samet and Spengler selected 147 households with electric or gas stoves and infants for home indoor monitoring of NO₂ concentrations; the infants\' mothers completed a daily calendar-diary on respiratory symptoms and provided illness information every 2 weeks.

Early Markers of Lung Injury

Research Report 29

John N Evans

David R Hemenway

Jason Kelley

1989

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

This report describes a study by Dr. Evans and colleagues to develop an early marker of lung injury that changes in response to exposure to NO₂, which is an important component of mobile source emissions. Rats were exposed to NO₂ in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 30 ppm for 6 hours per day for periods ranging from 2 days to 4 weeks. Urine and bronchoalveloar lavage samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of the lung injury markers hydroxylysin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and desmosine.

Investigation of a Potential Cotumorigenic Effect of the Dioxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur, and of Diesel-Engine Exhaust, on the Respiratory Tract of Syrian Golden Hamsters

Research Report 26

Uwe Heinrich

Ulrich Mohr

Rainer Fuhst

Carsten Brockmeyer

1989

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Nitrogen Oxides

This report describes a study by Dr. Heinrich and colleagues to investigate the effects of exposure to NO₂ and SO₂ or diesel engine exhaust on tumor formation in hamsters. Hamsters were exposed for 6, 10.5, 15, or 18 months to whole diesel exhaust, diesel exhaust without particles, or a mixture of NO₂ and SO₂. Additional groups of animals exposed to each test atmosphere were also injected with 3 or 6 mg of diethylnitrosamine/kg body weight to evaluate any enhancing effect of diethylnitrosamine on exposure-related changes.

Altered Susceptibility to Viral Respiratory Infection During Short-Term Exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide

Research Report 24

Richard M Rose

Paula Pinkston

William A Skornik

1989

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

This report examined the effect of nitrogen dioxide exposure on the sensitivity of the lower respiratory tract to viral infection and reinfection. Dr. Rose and colleagues exposed mice to concentrations of nitrogen dioxide ranging from 1-10 ppm or to air prior to and after inoculation with varying doses of murine cytomegalovirus. A subset of mice was reinfected 30 days later. Infection status, macrophage phagocytic uptake, lymphocyte function, and virus-specific antibody levels were measured, and the results were compared by exposure condition.

Responses of Susceptible Subpopulations to Nitrogen Dioxide

Research Report 23

Paul E Morrow

Mark J Utell

1989

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

This report investigated changes in pulmonary function, as well as the occurrence of symptoms, in potentially susceptible human subpopulations exposed to nitrogen dioxide. Drs. Morrow and Utell exposed healthy individuals and individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute respiratory infection to air or 0.3 ppm nitrogen dioxide. The exposure period (four hours per day for five consecutive days) included defined periods of moderate exercise and pulmonary function measurements including spirometry, airway conductance, airway reactivity, and symptoms.