BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding long-term adverse effects of urban pollutants in urban workers. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of urban pollutants on respiratory and cardiovascular function in exposed traffic policemen compared to a control group. METHODS: Sixty-eight traffic policemen and 62 controls (all male) were investigated at rest and during symptom-limited incremental exercise test (performed with a cycle ergometer). The data were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the mean values of resting ventilatory capacity, the forced spirometric test, or in blood gas parameters between the groups. The traffic exposed group demonstrated a number of significant changes in cardiorespiratory measures on exercise testing. Twenty-six traffic policemen and none of the controls experienced exercise-induced ECG abnormalities, hypertension or oxyhaemoglobin desaturation; 80% of the 26 had resting PaO(2) values <80 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that chronic occupational exposure to urban pollutants reduces resistance to physical effort and increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory changes including slight hypoxemia.
BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding long-term adverse effects of urban pollutants in urban workers. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of urban pollutants on respiratory and cardiovascular function in exposed traffic policemen compared to a control group. METHODS: Sixty-eight traffic policemen and 62 controls (all male) were investigated at rest and during symptom-limited incremental exercise test (performed with a cycle ergometer). The data were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the mean values of resting ventilatory capacity, the forced spirometric test, or in blood gas parameters between the groups. The traffic exposed group demonstrated a number of significant changes in cardiorespiratory measures on exercise testing. Twenty-six traffic policemen and none of the controls experienced exercise-induced ECG abnormalities, hypertension or oxyhaemoglobin desaturation; 80% of the 26 had resting PaO(2) values <80 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that chronic occupational exposure to urban pollutants reduces resistance to physical effort and increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory changes including slight hypoxemia.
Authors: Sadie Costello; Michael D Attfield; Jay H Lubin; Andreas M Neophytou; Aaron Blair; Daniel M Brown; Patricia A Stewart; Roel Vermeulen; Ellen A Eisen; Debra T Silverman Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2018-12-01 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: Patricia F Coogan; Laura F White; Michael Jerrett; Robert D Brook; Jason G Su; Edmund Seto; Richard Burnett; Julie R Palmer; Lynn Rosenberg Journal: Circulation Date: 2012-01-04 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Brandi L Martin; Leslie C Thompson; Yongho Kim; Wanda Williams; Samantha J Snow; Mette C Schladweiler; Pamela Phillips; Charly King; Judy Richards; Najwa Haykal-Coates; Mark Higuchi; M Ian Gilmour; Urmila P Kodavanti; Mehdi S Hazari; Aimen K Farraj Journal: Sci Total Environ Date: 2018-06-22 Impact factor: 7.963