Chemical characterization and in vitro toxicity of diesel exhaust particulate matter generated under varying conditions.

Epidemiologic studies have linked diesel exhaust (DE) to cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality, as well as lung cancer. DE composition is known to vary with many factors, although it is unclear how this influences toxicity. We generated eight DE atmospheres by applying a 2×2×2 factorial design and altering three parameters in a controlled exposure facility: (1) engine load (27 vs 82 %), (2) particle aging (residence time ~5 s vs ~5 min prior to particle collection), and (3) oxidation (with or without ozonation during dilution).

Neighborhood-Scale Spatial Models of Diesel Exhaust Concentration Profile Using 1-Nitropyrene and Other Nitroarenes.

With emerging evidence that diesel exhaust exposure poses distinct risks to human health, the need for fine-scale models of diesel exhaust pollutants is growing. We modeled the spatial distribution of several nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) to identify fine-scale gradients in diesel exhaust pollution in two Seattle, WA neighborhoods. Our modeling approach fused land-use regression, meteorological dispersion modeling, and pollutant monitoring from both fixed and mobile platforms.

In utero and early life exposure to diesel exhaust air pollution increases adult susceptibility to heart failure in mice.

Background: Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) is a global health concern, as exposure to PM2.5 has consistently been found to be associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Diesel exhaust induces systemic lipid peroxidation and development of dysfunctional pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory high-density lipoprotein.

Objective: To evaluate whether exposure to air pollutants induces oxidative modifications of plasma lipoproteins, resulting in alteration of the protective capacities of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs).

Approach And Results: We exposed apolipoprotein E-deficient mice to diesel exhaust (DE) at ≈ 250 µg/m(3) for 2 weeks, filtered air (FA) for 2 weeks, or DE for 2 weeks, followed by FA for 1 week (DE+FA). DE led to enhanced lipid peroxidation in the brochoalveolar lavage fluid that was accompanied by effects on HDL functionality.

Characterization of a portable method for the collection of exhaled breath condensate and subsequent analysis of metal content.

Using exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a biological media for analysis of biomarkers of exposure may facilitate the understanding of inhalation exposures. In this study, we present method validation for the collection of EBC and analysis of metals in EBC. The collection method was designed for use in a small scale longitudinal study with the goal of improving reproducibility while maintaining economic feasibility.