Air Pollution Particulate Matter Collected from an Appalachian Mountaintop Mining Site Induces Microvascular Dysfunction

Abstract

Objective Air pollution PM is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In Appalachia, PM from mining may represent a health burden to this sensitive population that leads the nation in cardiovascular disease, among others. Cardiovascular consequences following inhalation of PMMTM are unclear, but must be identified to establish causal effects. Methods PM was collected within 1 mile of an active MTM site in southern WV. The PM was extracted and was primarily <10μm in diameter (PM10), consisting largely of sulfur (38%) and silica (24%). Adult male rats were IT with 300 μg PMMTM. Twenty-four hours following exposure, rats were prepared for intravital microscopy, or isolated arteriole experiments. Results PMMTM exposure blunted endothelium-dependent dilation in mesenteric and coronary arterioles by 26%, and 25%, respectively, as well as endothelium-independent dilation. In vivo, PMMTM exposure inhibited endothelium-dependent arteriolar dilation (60% reduction). α-adrenergic receptor blockade inhibited PVNS-induced vasoconstriction in exposed animals compared with sham. Conclusions These data suggest that PMMTM exposure impairs microvascular function in disparate microvascular beds, through alterations in NO-mediated dilation and sympathetic nerve influences. Microvascular dysfunction may contribute to cardiovascular disease in regions with MTM sites.

Killing Martin county : resiliency in a central Appalachian community.

“…al. 2014), which elevates respiratory problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Hendryx & Luo 2014), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Esch & Hendryx 2011;Knuckles et. al.…”

“…2014;Ross, McGlynn, & Bernhardt 2016), habitat loss (Kaneva 2011), and reduced topography (Ross et al 2016). An increase of environmental stressors inevitably increases risk of exposure, which contributes to negative health outcomes for many Central Appalachians Esch & Hendryx 2011;Kavena 2011;Knuckles et. al.…”

“…Even so, coal mining has also historically played a significant role in the local economy of many Central Appalachian communities (Kaneva 2011), and coal's exodus from these communities will sink them deeper into economic hardship (Tallichet 2014 Residents also began to resist poor water quality because they feared for the health of their community. Literature suggests coal mining, and specifically MTR, increases health problems for Central Appalachians, like respiratory problems (Esch & Hendryx 2011;Knuckles et. al.…”

“…al. 2013;Hendryx & Luo 2014), birth defects , cancer rates, and organ problems Hendryx 2013). This research supports prior literature through showing the strong perceived connections between a coal-based environmental stressor and health outcomes.…”

“…The environmental impacts of MTR concurrently increase health problems for Central Appalachians, like respiratory problems (Hendryx & Esch 2011;Kaneva 2011;Knuckles et. al.…”