Indoor and outdoor pollutants and the upper respiratory tract.
The health effects of both indoor and outdoor air pollutants are of increasing concern. The health effects of outdoor air pollutants traditionally have been assessed through measurements of lower respiratory tract changes. However, it has been shown that one outdoor air pollutant, sulfur dioxide, decreases nasal mucus flow and increases nasal airway resistance. Along with cigarette smoke, indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, cadmium, and ammonium or sulfate ions have been shown to alter upper airway mucociliary function. Emissions from wood stoves are known to irritate the upper airways. Measurement of nasal airway resistance using posterior rhinomanometry allows quantification of nasal function. This technique recently has been used to demonstrate that adolescents with allergic asthma have increased work of breathing after inhalation of 0.5 ppm sulfur dioxide. Another study using posterior rhinomanometry showed that clerical workers had increased work of breathing after exposure to carbonless copy paper as compared with bond paper. This brief review of upper respiratory tract changes after pollutant exposure should serve as a reminder that a complete clinical history must include questions designed to ascertain the patient's exposure history to both outdoor and indoor air pollutants. These exposures can have a major impact on the health of the upper respiratory system.
Koenig
J Q
JQ
Department of Environmental Health, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009666:Nose / Q000187:drug effects; D010209:Paper; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects*; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000009:adverse effects; D014939:Work of Breathing / Q000187:drug effects
D000393:Air Pollutants; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide