Prior Exposure to Fuel Oil Combustion Particulates Enhances Allergic Response
Experimental studies have shown that diesel exhaust and gaseous pollutants may enhance the allergic response.
In this human experimental study, researchers sought to determine whether pre-exposure to combustion particles would enhance the response to subsequent exposure to pollen. The combustion particles used in the study were residual oil fly ash from a Boston power plant. Nasal cells were examined following exposure for evidence of inflammation and allergic response.
Researchers reported evidence of a greater than additive interaction between particulate exposure and allergen challenge. Specifically, they found an increase in certain inflammatory cells and cytokines that are measures of irritant or allergic response, relative to subjects pre-exposed to clean air.
Hauser, R., Rice, T.M., Krishna Murthy, G.G., Wand, M. P., Lewis, D., Bledsoe, T., and Paulauskis, J. The Upper Airway Response to Pollen is Enhanced by Exposure to Combustion Particulates: A Pilot Human Experimental Challenge Study. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 111, No. 4, pp. 472-477, April 2003.
The NIEHS offers the [ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/allpubs.html] offers the abstract online.
