title: Effects of biomass burning on nasal mucociliary clearance and mucus properties after sugarcane harvesting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Biofuel from sugarcane is widely produced in developing countries and is a clean and renewable alternative source of energy. However, sugarcane harvesting is mostly performed after biomass burning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of harvesting after biomass burning on nasal mucociliary clearance and the nasal mucus properties of farm workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty seven sugarcane workers (21-45 years old) were evaluated at the end of two successive time-periods: first at the end of a 6-month harvesting period (harvesting), and then at the end of a 3-month period without harvesting (non-harvesting). Nasal mucociliary clearance was evaluated by the saccharine transit test, and mucus properties were analyzed using in vitro mucus contact angle and mucus transportability by sneeze. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, body temperature, associated illness, and exhaled carbon monoxide were registered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data are presented as mean values (95% confidence interval). The multivariate model analysis adjusted for age, body-mass index, smoking status and years of working with this agricultural practice showed that harvesting yielded prolonged saccharine transit test in 7.83 min (1.88-13.78), increased mucus contact angle in 8.68 degrees (3.18-14.17) and decreased transportability by sneeze in 32.12 mm (-44.83 to -19.42) compared with the non-harvesting period. No significant differences were detected in any of the clinical parameter at either time-period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sugarcane harvesting after biomass burning negatively affects the first barrier of the respiratory system in farm workers by impairing nasal mucociliary clearance and inducing abnormal mucus properties.
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, Communication Science and Disorders, Occupational Therapy, LIM 34, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Danielle Miyuki
authors: DM
authors: Goto
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Lança
authors: Camila Akemi
authors: CA
authors: Obuti
authors: Cristiane Maria
authors: CM
authors: Galvão Barbosa
authors: Paulo Hilário
authors: PH
authors: Nascimento Saldiva
authors: Dirce Maria
authors: DM
authors: Trevisan Zanetta
authors: Geraldo
authors: G
authors: Lorenzi-Filho
authors: Ubiratan
authors: U
authors: de Paula Santos
authors: Naomi Kondo
authors: NK
authors: Nakagawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D018533:Biomass; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects*; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D031786:Saccharum / Q000737:chemistry; D012912:Sneezing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational