Toxicologic methods: controlled human exposures.
The assessment of risk from exposure to environmental air pollutants is complex, and involves the disciplines of epidemiology, animal toxicology, and human inhalation studies. Controlled, quantitative studies of exposed humans help determine health-related effects that result from breathing the atmosphere. The major unique feature of the clinical study is the ability to select, control, and quantify pollutant exposures of subjects of known clinical status, and determine their effects under ideal experimental conditions. The choice of outcomes to be assessed in human clinical studies can be guided by both scientific and practical considerations, but the diversity of human responses and responsiveness must be considered. Subjects considered to be among the most susceptible include those with asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. New experimental approaches include exposures to concentrated ambient air particles, diesel engine exhaust, combustion products from smoking machines, and experimental model particles. Future investigations of the health effects of air pollution will benefit from collaborative efforts among the disciplines of epidemiology, animal toxicology, and human clinical studies.
Utell
M J
MJ
Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642-8692, USA.
Frampton
M W
MW
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*
D000393:Air Pollutants