Electronic ISSN 2287-0237

VOLUME

RESPIRATORY DISTURBANCE AND IGE CAUSED BY TRAFFIC-RELATED AIR POLLUTION

FEBRUARY 2013 - VOL.5 | ORIGINAL ARTICLE
OBJECTIVE.

This was a  cross-sectional  study  to  identify  the association of microbial and particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) with respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function impairment among street sweepers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS.

A number of 97 street sweepers at Rajthevee District in Bangkok participated in this research. The samples of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns were collected by attaching a Model 200 Personal Environmental Monitor (PEM™) to the street sweepers’ collar near the breathing zone during their work shift. Microbial air samples were collected by Microflow 90 by following the street sweepers twice a day at 06.00-07.00 am and 10.00 -11.00 am. The respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire and the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire. Pulmonary functions were tested using a spirometer.

RESULTS.

There was an association between particulate matter less than  2.5  microns  with  stuffy  nose  (p < 0.01)  and  cough  (p < 0.05), fungi at 06.00-07.00 am was associated  with  wheezing (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant association between bacteria and respiratory symptoms and no significant association between particulate matter less than 2.5 microns or microbial agents with pulmonary function impairment among street sweepers. The mean of serum IgE among 15 sweepers who had wheezing was 277.07 IU/ml (range 12 - 1,088 IU/ml). There was correlation between poor pulmonary function and increased IgE levels.

CONCLUSION.

The street sweepers who work in traffic areas exposed to PM2.5 and fungi were linked to respiratory symptoms and risk to asthma.

Keywords:

particulate matter less than 2.5 microns, microbial, respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function test, sweepers, IgE, air pollution

DOI

10.31524/bkkmedj.2013.02.004

MEDIA
Figure 1:
Shows 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Rajthevee district is highlighted in red.
Table 1:
The respiratory symptoms of the sweepers
Table 2:
Classification of the severity of pulmonary function impairment (n= 95)
Table 3:
The association between concentrations of PM2.5 and respiratory symptoms (n = 97)
Table 5:
Correlation between concentrations of PM2.5, bacteria and fungi with pulmonary function of sweepers by Pearson correlation.
Table 6:
Correlation between serum IgE levels with pulmonary function of sweepers by Pearson correlation.
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