Occupational and environmental levels of mutagenic PAHs and respirable particulate matter associated with diesel exhaust in Santiago, Chile.

This work studied the mutagenic potential and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels onto PM10 collected in diesel revision plants, in an urban area as well as in a rural area in Santiago, Chile. The PM10 average levels in diesel emission plants during working hours (there is no occupational PM10 Chilean standard) were significantly higher than the atmospheric Chilean PM10 standard and highly mutagenic and with high PAHs levels. Additionally, we evaluated the contribution of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms on 1-OH-pyrene urinary levels.

Susceptibility and exposure biomarkers in people exposed to PAHs from diesel exhaust.

Xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, especially CYP1A1 and GSTM1, are involved in the activation and conjugation of PAHs and are controlled by polymorphic genes. PAHs released from diesel emissions in many cities of the world, especially in developing countries, contribute significantly to the toxic effects of airborne inhalable particles. We have evaluated the gene-environment interaction in Santiago of Chile, studying the contribution of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms on 1-OH-P urinary levels used as the PAHs exposure biomarker.

[Indoor air pollution in a zone of extreme poverty of La Pintana, Santiago-Chile].

Background: Indoor pollution can be an important risk factor for human health, considering that people spend more than 60% of their time in their houses.

Aim: To investigate indoor pollution in a zone of extreme poverty in Metropolitan Santiago.

Material And Methods: During 24 h, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), respirable particulate matter (PM10), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons absorbed in PM5, temperature and humidity, were measured in the interior of 24 houses in a La Pintana, Santiago.

[Importance of pre-analytical variables in the quality of arterial blood gas determination].

Background: Several frequent errors in the measurement of arterial blood gases, shed doubts on their real usefulness.

Aim: To identify sampling, manipulation and transport errors in the measurement of arterial blood gases.

Materials And Methods: Three hundred and nine consecutive arterial blood samples received at the central laboratory of a public hospital were analyzed.

[Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in O' Higgins antarctic base residents].

The aim was to study pulmonary function and physical capacity and their relation to respiratory symptoms among military personnel before and after one year of permanence in an Antarctic base. In 21 men aged 38 +/- 5.5 years, enquiries about smoking habits and respiratory symptoms, spirometry, bronchial provocation test and measures of aerobic capacity and peak expiratory flow were performed.