title: Air Pollution by Hydrothermal Volcanism and Human Pulmonary Function.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess whether chronic exposure to volcanogenic air pollution by hydrothermal soil diffuse degassing is associated with respiratory defects in humans. This study was carried in the archipelago of the Azores, an area with active volcanism located in the Atlantic Ocean where Eurasian, African, and American lithospheric plates meet. A cross-sectional study was performed on a study group of 146 individuals inhabiting an area where volcanic activity is marked by active fumarolic fields and soil degassing (hydrothermal area) and a reference group of 359 individuals inhabiting an area without these secondary manifestations of volcanism (nonhydrothermal area). Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were adjusted for age, gender, fatigue, asthma, and smoking. The OR for restrictive defects and for exacerbation of obstructive defects (COPD) in the hydrothermal area was 4.4 (95% CI 1.78-10.69) and 3.2 (95% CI 1.82-5.58), respectively. Increased prevalence of restrictions and all COPD severity ranks (mild, moderate, and severe) was observed in the population from the hydrothermal area. These findings may assist health officials in advising and keeping up with these populations to prevent and minimize the risk of respiratory diseases.
authors: Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal ; CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment (CVARG), University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Linhares
authors: Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal ; CE3C, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C) and Azorean Biodiversity Group, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
authors: Patrícia
authors: P
authors: Ventura Garcia
authors: CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment (CVARG), University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal ; Department of Geosciences, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal.
authors: Fátima
authors: F
authors: Viveiros
authors: CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment (CVARG), University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal ; Department of Geosciences, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Ferreira
authors: Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal ; CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment (CVARG), University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, 9501-801 Azores, Portugal.
authors: Armindo
authors: A
authors: dos Santos Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions / Q000009:adverse effects*