Acute health effects from exposure to indoor ultrafine particles-A randomized controlled crossover study among young mild asthmatics

摘要

Particulate matter is linked to adverse health effects, however, little is known abouthealth effects of particles emitted from typical indoor sources. We examined acutehealth effects of short-termexposure to emissions from cooking and candles amongasthmatics. In a randomized controlled double-blindedcrossover study, 36 youngnon-smokingasthmatics attended three exposure sessions lasting 5 h: (a) air mixedwith emissions from cooking (fine particle mass concentration): (PM_(2.5): 96.1 μg/m~3),(b) air mixed with emissions from candles (PM_(2.5): 89.8 μg/m~3), and c) clean filtered air(PM_(2.5): 5.8 μg/m~3). Health effects (spirometry, fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide [FeNO],nasal volume and self-reportedsymptoms) were evaluated before exposure start,then 5 and 24 h after. During exposures volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particlesize distributions, number concentrations and optical properties were measured.Generally, no statistically significant changes were observed in spirometry, FeNO, ornasal volume comparing cooking and candle exposures to clean air. In males, nasalvolume and FeNO decreased after exposure to cooking and candles, respectively.Participants reported additional and more pronounced symptoms during exposure tocooking and candles compared to clean air. The results indicate that emissions fromcooking and candles exert mild inflammation in asthmatic males and decrease comfortamong asthmatic males and females.