Lung function and dust in climbing halls: two pilot studies
-
Hanns Moshammer
,
Shifra Shahraki
Abstract
In climbing halls, high levels of dust are found because magnesia powder is used to dry hands. Concerns have been raised about possible health effects after reports from asthmatics experiencing worsening of symptoms while or after climbing. We investigated acute and sub-acute effects of climbing in dusty halls on lung function in two pilot studies. The first study examined 109 climbers before and after a climbing activity that lasted at least 1 h. In the second study, 25 climbers from different age classes participated in a 2-day climbing competition. Of these, 24 agreed to take part in our investigation, but only 22 provided valid lung function tests on both days. The climbers underwent lung function tests before the first round of the competition (in the morning), after the second round approximately 3 h later and in the morning of the second day before the competition started again. In the first study, we found acute effects, a decline in lung function immediately after the exposure, likely due to protective reflexes of the bronchial muscles and stronger declines in persons with higher exhaled nitric oxide (NO) pre-climbing. In the second study, we also expected sub-acute effects on the next day due to inflammation. On the first day of the competition (second study), dust levels at a central monitor increased over time in a linear manner. Most of the dust was in the size range between 2.5 and 10 μm and dust levels of particulate matter (PM10) reached 0.5 mg/m3. There was a decline in lung function over 24 h in persons with higher exhaled NO levels pre-exposure. All spirometric parameters were affected though the effects were not statistically significant in all cases. Younger age classes started earlier in the morning. Because of the increasing trend in dust levels we expected stronger effects with higher numbers but for the acute effects the reverse was true, possibly because younger climbers use magnesia more or with less experience thus causing higher individual exposure. No differences by age or by time of the first climb were observed for the 24-h lung function change.
Acknowledgments
The dust measurements in both studies were performed by the Carinthian Environmental Protection Agency. Also, their financial support for the instrumentation (EasyOne) is gratefully acknowledged. The authors report no conflicts of interest.
References
1. Weinbruch S, Dirsch T, Ebert M, Hofmann H, Kandler K. Dust exposure in indoor climbing halls. J Environ Monit 2008:10(5):648–54.10.1039/b719344kSuche in Google Scholar PubMed
2. Castro A, Calvo AI, Alves C, Alonso-Blanco E, Coz E, et al. Indoor aerosol size distributions in a gymnasium. Sci Total Environ 2015:524–525:178–86.10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.118Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
3. Alves C, Calvo AI, Marques L, Castro A, Nunes T, et al. Particulate matter in the indoor and outdoor air of a gymnasium and a fronton. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2014:21:12390–402.10.1007/s11356-014-3168-1Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
4. Braniš M, Šafránek J. Characterization of coarse particulate matter in school gyms. Environ Res 2011:111(4):485–91.10.1016/j.envres.2011.03.010Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
5. Stuart BO. Deposition and clearance of inhaled particles. Environ Health Perspect 1984:55:369–90.10.1289/ehp.8455369Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
6. Lippmann M, Yeates DB, Albert RE. Deposition, retention, and clearance of inhaled particles. Br J Ind Med 1980:37(4):337–62.10.1136/oem.37.4.337Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
7. Walters JAE, Wood-Baker R, Walls J, Johns DP. Stability of the EasyOne ultrasonic spirometer for use in general practice. Respirol Carlton Vic 2006:11(3):306–10.10.1111/j.1440-1843.2006.00842.xSuche in Google Scholar PubMed
8. Miller MR, Hankinson J, Brusasco V, Burgos F, Casaburi R, et al. Standardisation of spirometry. Eur Respir J 2005:26(2):319–38.10.1183/09031936.05.00034805Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
9. Schöffl VR, Hoffmann G, Küpper T. Acute injury risk and severity in indoor climbing-a prospective analysis of 515,337 indoor climbing wall visits in 5 years. Wilderness Environ Med 2013:24(3):187–94.10.1016/j.wem.2013.03.020Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
10. Cieslewicz G, Tomkinson A, Adler A, Duez C, Schwarze J, et al. The late, but not early, asthmatic response is dependent on IL-5 and correlates with eosinophil infiltration. J Clin Invest 1999:104(3):301–8.10.1172/JCI7010Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
11. Raemdonck K, de Alba J, Birrell MA, Grace M, Maher SA, et al. A role for sensory nerves in the late asthmatic response. Thorax 2012:67:19–25.10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-200365Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
12. Nijkamp FP, Folkerts G. Nitric oxide and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 1995:329(1):81–96.10.1007/978-3-0348-8474-7_6Suche in Google Scholar
13. Steerenberg PA, Janssen NAH, De Meer G, Fischer PH, Nierkens S, et al. Relationship between exhaled NO, respiratory symptoms, lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and blood eosinophilia in school children. Thorax 2003:58(3):242–5.10.1136/thorax.58.3.242Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
14. Ricciardolo FLM. Multiple roles of nitric oxide in the airways. Thorax 2003:58(2):175–82.10.1136/thorax.58.2.175Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
15. Pisi R, Aiello M, Tzani P, Marangio E, Olivieri D, et al. Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide by a new portable device: comparison with the standard technique. J Asthma 2010:47(7):805–9.10.3109/02770903.2010.485667Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
16. ATS/ERS Recommendations for Standardized Procedures for the Online and Offline Measurement of Exhaled Lower Respiratory Nitric Oxide and Nasal Nitric Oxide. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2005:171(8):912–30.10.1164/rccm.200406-710STSuche in Google Scholar PubMed
17. Burkart J, Steiner G, Reischl G, Moshammer H, Neuberger M, et al. Characterizing the performance of two optical particle counters (Grimm OPC1.108 and OPC1.109) under urban aerosol conditions. J Aerosol Sci 2010:41(10):953–62.10.1016/j.jaerosci.2010.07.007Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
18. Roberts ES, Richards JH, Jaskot R, Dreher KL. Oxidative stress mediates air pollution particle-induced acute lung injury and molecular pathology. Inhal Toxicol 2003:15:1327–46.10.1080/08958370390241795Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
19. Kelly FJ. Oxidative stress: its role in air pollution and adverse health effects. Occupl Environ Med 2003:60(8):612–6.10.1136/oem.60.8.612Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
20. Fell AKM, Sikkeland LIB, Svendsen MV, Kongerud J. Airway inflammation in cement production workers. Occup Environ Med 2009:67(6):395–400.10.1136/oem.2009.047852Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
21. Fell AKM, Notø H, Skogstad M, Nordby K-C, Eduard W, et al. A cross-shift study of lung function, exhaled nitric oxide and inflammatory markers in blood in Norwegian cement production workers. Occup Environ Med 2011:68(11):799–805.10.1136/oem.2010.057729Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
22. Ali BA, Ballal SG, Albar AA, Ahmed HO. Post-shift changes in pulmonary function in a cement factory in eastern Saudi Arabia. Occup Med (Lond) 1998:48(8):519–22.10.1093/occmed/48.8.519Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
23. Mwaiselage J, Moen B, Bråtveit M. Acute respiratory health effects among cement factory workers in Tanzania: an evaluation of a simple health surveillance tool. Int Arch Occ Env Health 2005:79(1):49–56.10.1007/s00420-005-0019-xSuche in Google Scholar PubMed
24. Weinbruch S, Dirsch T, Kandler K, Ebert M, Heimburger G, et al. Reducing dust exposure in indoor climbing gyms. J Environ Monit 2012:8:2114–20.10.1039/c2em30289fSuche in Google Scholar PubMed
©2016 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Environmental chemicals as endocrine disruptors
- Original Articles
- Lung function and dust in climbing halls: two pilot studies
- High ambient noise levels in Vadodara City, India, affected by urbanization
- Review Articles
- Hormonally active agents in the environment: a state-of-the-art review
- Environmental pediatrics: an introduction and evaluation of online resources
- A review of heavy metals in indoor dust and its human health-risk implications
- Environmental and occupational exposure to cadmium in Iran: a systematic review
- Effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on aqueous organisms and its treatment problem: a review
- Inaccurate official assessment of radiofrequency safety by the Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Environmental chemicals as endocrine disruptors
- Original Articles
- Lung function and dust in climbing halls: two pilot studies
- High ambient noise levels in Vadodara City, India, affected by urbanization
- Review Articles
- Hormonally active agents in the environment: a state-of-the-art review
- Environmental pediatrics: an introduction and evaluation of online resources
- A review of heavy metals in indoor dust and its human health-risk implications
- Environmental and occupational exposure to cadmium in Iran: a systematic review
- Effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on aqueous organisms and its treatment problem: a review
- Inaccurate official assessment of radiofrequency safety by the Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation
