Chronic exposure to volcanic environments and chronic bronchitis incidence in the Azores, Portugal

Abstract

The village of Furnas, like other active volcanic areas in the world, exhibits high levels of hazardous gases. We aimed to investigate the existence of a possible association between chronic exposure to volcanic sulfur gases and chronic bronchitis. To investigate this, we used two populations, one exposed to active manifestations of volcanism (Furnas) and another from an area where no volcanic activity took place for over three million years (Santa Maria), both in the Azores. We used data on the incidence of chronic bronchitis among both populations (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001), obtained from the records of each local health center, and population denominators from censuses carried out in 1991 and 2001, using five age-groups. We also estimated relative risks and mean annual age-standardized rates of chronic bronchitis incidence. Incidence rates were extremely higher in the volcanically active area for both sexes, and especially in the youngest groups. Accordingly, the risk of chronic bronchitis for the people living in the volcanically active area was extremely higher (males RR ¼ 3.99; females RR ¼ 10.74) when compared to those living in the volcanically inactive area. Comparison of chronic bronchitis incidence rates between both populations suggests an association between this disease and the chronic exposure to the volcanically active environment, with all its hazardous gases like hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. These findings may help health officials to better advice people inhabiting volcanic areas, or others with high levels of sulfur gases, on how to prevent and minimize the risks of chronic bronchitis. r

Effects of SO2 on Respiratory System of Adult Miyakejima Resident 2 Years after Returning to the Island

“…The prevalence of chronic bronchitis-like symptoms defined by Based on a 10-yr follow-up observation in the Azores, Portugal, Amaral et al (2007) 10) reported a relationship between exposure to volcanic gases and the incidence of chronic bronchitis recorded at local health centers. Relative risks of chronic bronchitis in males and females exposed to volcanic gases were 3.99 (95% CI; 2.98-5.35) and 10.74 (6.55-17.34), respectively, compared to those living in volcanically inactive areas.…”

Apoptosis, metallothionein, and bioavailable metals in domestic mice (Mus musculus L.) from a human-inhabited volcanic area

“…Besides the high bioavailability of cadmium and zinc found in soil invertebrates from this area (Amaral et al 2006b), high incidence rates of some cancer types and chronic bronchitis has also been registered in local humans (Amaral et al 2006c;Amaral and Rodrigues 2007). In order to assess the exposure and effects to a mixture of trace metals in this area, domestic mice (Mus musculus L.) from several households were collected for the present study.…”

Influence of sulfur dioxide on the respiratory system of Miyakejima adult residents 6 years after returning to the island

“…Based on a 10-year follow up observation in the Azores, Portugal, Amaral et al . (2007) 7) reported a relationship between exposure to volcanic gases and the incidence of chronic bronchitis recorded at local health centers. Relative risks of chronic bronchitis in males and females exposed to volcanic gases were 3.99 (95%CI; 2.98-5.35) and 10.74 (6.55-17.34), respectively, as compared to those living in volcanically inactive areas.…”