1990 / 2019-08-22 09:08:53

Using facemask intervention to study the effects of atmospheric fine particle exposure on cardiopulmonary health in young adults

3、环境科学 > 专题2：环境健康与安全风险评估

Background: Environmental epidemiological studies have documented that short-term exposure to fine particles can adversely affect the cardio-pulmonary health of humans, but the mechanism remains unclear. Using facemask intervention experiments to compare cardio-pulmonary function and subclinical biomarkers in people with significantly different exposures to fine particles, we can analyze the protective effects of fine particle exposure on human cardiopulmonary health and the potential biological mechanisms.

Method: The study used a double-blind-random crossover design to expose the intervention group (with facemasks) and the control group (without facemasks) to air pollution exposure in polluted days. 52 healthy young individuals (18-25 years old) were enrolled in the intervention study, and during the intervention period, the subjects walked slowly outdoors for 2 hours with or without facemasks, and the air pollution exposure were assessed simultaneously. The individual's cardiopulmonary function indicators were measured before and after exposure, as well as collecting biological samples, including exhaled breath condensates, blood and urine. Linear mixed effects models were used to compare the difference in the acute health responses of cardio-pulmonary system to the intervention, and the associations between air pollution exposure and the biomarkers.

Results: The biomarkers are still under analysis. Preliminary analysis found that FeNO (a respiratory inflammation marker) concentrations in the intervention group and the control group were 12.47 ppb and 14.01 ppb, respectively; the FeNO concentrations were 7.68 and 8.87 ppb at 1 hour after walking exposure, and 8.27 at 3 hours after exposure. 8.57 ppb; and 5 hours after exposure, FeNO concentrations were 7.42 and 10.12 ppb, respectively. The data showed that the FeNO concentration in the two groups was stable at a lower concentration for 1-3 hours after two hours of exposure; at 5 hours after exposure, the FeNO concentration in the intervention group remained at a lower concentration, while the FeNO concentration in the control group was significant raise.

Tentative conclusion: Preliminary results found that wearing masks in polluted weather may be related to a decrease in the inflammatory level of the human respiratory system, but more data support is needed. The biomarker analysis work of the study is still ongoing.