Cardiovascular and lung function in relation to outdoor and indoor exposure to fine and ultrafine particulate matter in middle-aged subjects

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between exposure to airborne indoor and outdoor particulate matter (PM) and cardiovascular and respiratory health in a population-based sample of 58 residences in Copenhagen, Denmark. Over a 2-day period indoor particle number concentrations (PNC, 10-300 nm) and PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter<2.5 μm) were monitored for each of the residences in the living room, and outdoor PNC (10-280 nm), PM2.5 and PM10 (aerodynamic diameter<10 μm) were monitored at an urban background station in Copenhagen. In the morning, after the 2-day monitoring period, we measured microvascular function (MVF) and lung function and collected blood samples for biomarkers related to inflammation, in 78 middle-aged residents. Bacteria, endotoxin and fungi were analyzed in material from electrostatic dust fall collectors placed in the residences for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using linear regression with the generalized estimating equation approach. Statistically significant associations were found between indoor PNC, dominated by indoor use of candles, and lower lung function, the prediabetic marker HbA1c and systemic inflammatory markers observed as changes in leukocyte differential count and expression of adhesion markers on monocytes, whereas C-reactive protein was significantly associated with indoor PM2.5. The presence of indoor endotoxin was associated with lower lung function and expression of adhesion markers on monocytes. An inverse association between outdoor PNC and MVF was also statistically significant. The study suggests that PNC in the outdoor environment may be associated with decreased MVF, while PNC, mainly driven by candle burning, and bioaerosols in the indoor environment may have a negative effect on lung function and markers of systemic inflammation and diabetes.

A work group report on ultrafine particles (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology): Why ambient ultrafine and engineered nanoparticles should receive special attention for possible adverse health outcomes in human subjects

“…Two studies from Denmark demonstrated that exposure to UFP away from home was significantly inversely correlated with microvascular function and positively associated with systemic inflammation. 6, 8 There was no association between these changes and PM 10 and PM 2.5 . Decreased lung function, i.e.…”

The effects of indoor and outdoor dust exposure on the growth, sensitivity to oxidative-stress, and biofilm production of three opportunistic bacterial pathogens

“…Human exposure to dust occurs primarily via dermal, respiratory, and dietary routes while indoors and outdoors (Bjerg et al, 2015;Garrison et al, 2014;Karottki et al, 2014;Sahlstrom et al, 2015). In fact, dust exposure has been correlated with about 500,000 deaths in Europe (European Topic Center on Air and climate change) and about 200,000 deaths in USA (Fann et al, 2012).…”

“…Humans consistently face dermal, respiratory, and dietary exposures to dust while indoors and outdoors (Bjerg et al, 2015;Garrison et al, 2014;Karottki et al, 2014;Sahlstrom et al, 2015). Recently, studies have begun to focus on how these dust exposures can impact human health (Happo et al, 2008(Happo et al, , 2014Hogervorst et al, 2007;Jalava et al, 2009).…”

Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the cardiovascular system after oral administration

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