The South Karelia Air Pollution Study: The Effects of Malodorous Sulfur Compounds from Pulp Mills on Respiratory and Other Symptoms

Abstract

The paper mills in South Karelia, the southeast part of Finland, are responsible for releasing a substantial amount of malodorous sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), and methyl sulfides [(CH3)2S and (CH3)2S2], into ambient air. In the most polluted residential area the annual mean concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan are estimated to be 8 and 2 to 5 micrograms/m3 and the highest daily average concentration 100 and 50 micrograms/m3. The annual mean and highest daily concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are very low. We studied the effects of malodorous sulfur compounds on eye, nasal and respiratory symptoms, and headache in adults. A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire was distributed in February 1987 and responded to by 488 adults living in a severely (n = 198), a moderately (n = 204), and a nonpolluted community (n = 86). This included questions about occurrence of the symptoms of interest during the previous 4 wk and 12 months and individual, behavioral, and other environmental determinants of the symptoms. The response rate was 83%. The odds ratios (OR) for symptoms experienced often or constantly in severely versus nonpolluted and moderately versus nonpolluted communities were estimated in logistic regression analysis controlling potential confounders. The odds ratios for eye (moderate exposure OR 11.70, Cl95% 2.33 to 58.65; severe exposure OR 11.78, Cl95% 2.35 to 59.09) and nasal symptoms (OR 2.01, Cl95% 0.97 to 4.15; OR 2.19, Cl95% 1.06 to 4.55) and cough (OR 1.89, Cl95% 0.61 to 5.86; OR 3.06, Cl95% 1.02 to 9.29) during the previous 12 months were increased, with a dose-response pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Leukocyte trafficking and pain behavioral responses to a hydrogen sulfide donor in acute monoarthritis

“…Very little is known about the role of H 2 S in modulating pain. Anecdotal evidence suggests that H 2 S may have a pronociceptive effect by causing irritation of mucosal surfaces, such as the eye and airways (11,25). Here, it was found that local administration of Na 2 S had no discernible effect on knee joint pain, as measured by hindlimb incapacitance and von Frey hair algesiometry.…”

Comparison of allergic diseases, symptoms and respiratory infections between Finnish and Russian school children

“…A self-administered questionnaire, modified from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC Phase One, core questionnaire for wheezing and asthma, rhinitis and eczema; [17]) questionnaire and two previous Finnish questionnaires [18,19], was distributed by schoolteachers to 1,400 schoolchildren 7-16 years of age. The core questions for 13-and 14-year olds for wheezing and asthma, rhinitis and eczema were used unchanged (ISAAC Phase One), but some additional questions were also included from the protocol of ISAAC Phase Two and Three and the Finnish questionnaires.…”

“…The core questions for 13-and 14-year olds for wheezing and asthma, rhinitis and eczema were used unchanged (ISAAC Phase One), but some additional questions were also included from the protocol of ISAAC Phase Two and Three and the Finnish questionnaires. These questionnaires have been tested and validated [17][18][19][20]. Teachers, parents and school children were given oral and written instructions about distributing and filling in the Fig.…”

Ambient hydrogen sulfide, total reduced sulfur, and hospital visits for respiratory diseases in northeast Nebraska, 1998–2000

“…In studies of subjects exposed to H 2 S or TRS, researchers have identified respiratory symptoms, decreased pulmonary function test results, and increases in pulmonary disease. The groups studied were sewer workers (Richardson, 1995), oil and gas workers (Hessel et al, 1997;Mostaghni et al, 2000), and general populations (Dales et al, 1989;Jaakkola et al, 1990;Partti-Pellinen et al, 1996;Legator et al, 2001).…”