Particulate Matter Exposure in Cars Is Associated with Cardiovascular Effects in Healthy Young Men

• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200310-1463oc
• Publication Date: 2004-02-17T01:33:24Z
• Authors: Michael Riediker; Wayne E. Cascio; Thomas R. Griggs; Margaret C. Herbst; Philip A. Bromberg; Lucas Neas; Ronald W. Williams; Robert B. Devlin
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Air Pollutants; Inhalation Exposure; Autonomic Nervous System; 01 natural sciences; Blood Coagulation Factors; Police; 3. Good health; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Hemoglobins; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Reference Values; Occupational Exposure; 11. Sustainability; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Vehicle Emissions; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Exposure to fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with cardiovascular events and mortality in older cardiac patients. Potential physiologic effects of in-vehicle, roadside, ambient PM2.5 were investigated young, healthy, nonsmoking, male North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers. Nine troopers (age 23 30) monitored on 4 successive days while working a 3 P.M. midnight shift. Each patrol car was equipped air-quality monitors. Blood drawn 14 hours after each shift, ambulatory monitors recorded the electrocardiogram throughout shift until next morning. Data analyzed using mixed models. In-vehicle (average 24 μg/m3) decreased lymphocytes (−11% per 10 increased red blood cell indices (1% mean corpuscular volume), neutrophils (6%), C-reactive protein (32%), von Willebrand factor (12%), next-morning heart beat cycle length rate variability parameters, ectopic beats recording (20%). Controlling for potential confounders had little impact effect estimates. The associations these health endpoints roadside smaller less significant. observations healthy young men suggest that in-vehicle exposure may cause pathophysiologic changes involve inflammation, coagulation, rhythm.