Personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide pollution and effect on plasma antioxidants.
We conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study to evaluate personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and its effect on blood antioxidants. Personal exposure of 107 volunteers was assessed for 14 d with passive monitors. We excluded heavy smokers (> 10 cigarettes/d) from the study. Sociodemographic and environmental data, as well as beta-carotene intake, were recorded. We mainly attributed the mean nitrogen dioxide personal exposure (31.9 +/- 12.7 microg/m3 [0.017 ppm or 0.70 microM/m3]) (R2 = 0.75) to residence site in the city, time spent in urban traffic, and use of gas stoves. The correlation between nitrogen dioxide exposure and blood antioxidant concentration was weak; in addition, the correlation coefficients for men and women were inconsistent. Nonetheless, we found some evidence of an interaction between carotene intake and nitrogen dioxide exposure: a significantly lower plasma beta-carotene level was evident among subjects who consumed < or = 4.5 mg/jour of carotene and who were exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels that exceeded 40 microg/m3 (0.021 ppm or 0.87 microM/m3) of nitrogen dioxide.
Bernard
N
N
Groupe d'Epidémiologie Métabolique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France.
Saintot
M
M
Astre
C
C
Gerber
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide