Determinants of personal exposure to some carcinogenic substances and nitrogen dioxide among the general population in five Swedish cities

Abstract

Environmental levels of airborne carcinogenic and related substances are comparatively better known than individual exposure and its determinants. We report on a personal monitoring program involving five Swedish urban populations. The aim of the program was to investigate personal exposure to benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The measurements were performed among 40 inhabitants during seven consecutive days, in one urban area each year, during 2000-2008. The estimated population exposure levels were 1.95 μg/m(3) for benzene, 0.56 μg/m(3) for 1,3-butadiene, 19.4 μg/m(3) for formaldehyde, and 14.1 μg/m(3) for NO2. Statistical analysis using a mixed-effects model revealed that time spent in traffic and time outdoors contributed to benzene and 1,3- butadiene exposure. For benzene, refueling a car was an additional determinant influencing the exposure level. Smoking or environmental tobacco smoke were significant determinants of exposure to NO2, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene. Those with a gas stove had higher NO2 exposure. Living in a single-family house increased the exposure to formaldehyde significantly. In a variance component model, the between-subject variance dominated for 1,3-butadiene and formaldehyde, whereas the between-city variance dominated for NO2. For benzene, the between-subject and between-cities variances were similar.

Exposure to Air Pollution inside Electric and Diesel-Powered Passenger Trains

“…The aldehyde concentrations inside the trains were very low; however, the mean concentrations were slightly elevated in diesel compared with electric trains. The formaldehyde concentrations inside the trains were lower than the average personal exposure found among the general population in Sweden (19 μg/m 3 ), and lower than average concentrations found in Danish dwellings (20 μg/m 3 ) …”

“…The aldehyde concentrations inside the trains were very low; however, the mean concentrations were slightly elevated in diesel compared with electric trains. The formaldehyde concentrations inside the trains were lower than the average personal exposure found among the general population in Sweden (19 μg/m 3 ), 25 and lower than average concentrations found in Danish dwellings (20 μg/m 3 ). 26 The metal and metalloid elemental composition of the PM collected inside diesel trains showed enrichment especially in iron, with other major elements being zinc, magnesium, and copper.…”

Two important controversial risk factors in SARS-CoV-2 infection: Obesity and smoking

“…Tobacco smoke promotes exposure to environmental NO 2 , benzene, and 1,3-butadiene (Hagenbjörk-Gustafsson et al, 2014), and ambient air pollution associated with NO 2 causes an increase in Ang II-binding to its receptor by upregulating ACE activity by up to 100-fold. Meanwhile, nicotine exhibits a dual effect by increasing ACE expression and causing a fall in ACE2 activity (Alifano et al, 2020;Meulenbelt et al, 1992).…”

SARS-CoV-2 infection and smoking: What is the association? A brief review

“…Smoking is an established risk factor for several cardio-metabolic and respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma [32]. Smoking tobacco promotes exposure to several toxic chemicals, including 1,3-butadiene, benzene, and NO 2 [33]. It can induce inflammation of the respiratory tract, allergy, permeability of epithelial cells, mucus formation, and impair mucociliary clearance [34].…”