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. 2004 Nov;61(11):908–914. doi: 10.1136/oem.2004.012849

Daily variation in fine and ultrafine particulate air pollution and urinary concentrations of lung Clara cell protein CC16

K Timonen 1, G Hoek 1, J Heinrich 1, A Bernard 1, B Brunekreef 1, J de Hartog 1, K Hameri 1, A Ibald-Mulli 1, A Mirme 1, A Peters 1, P Tiittanen 1, W Kreyling 1, J Pekkanen 1
PMCID: PMC1757829  PMID: 15477284

Abstract

Background: Daily variations in ambient particulate air pollution have been associated with respiratory mortality and morbidity.

Aims: To assess the associations between urinary concentration of lung Clara cell protein CC16, a marker for lung damage, and daily variation in fine and ultrafine particulate air pollution.

Methods: Spot urinary samples (n = 1249) were collected biweekly for six months in subjects with coronary heart disease in Amsterdam, Netherlands (n = 37), Erfurt, Germany (n = 47), and Helsinki, Finland (n = 47). Ambient particulate air pollution was monitored at a central site in each city.

Results: The mean 24 hour number concentration of ultrafine particles was 17.3x103 cm–3 in Amsterdam, 21.1x103 cm–3 in Erfurt, and 17.0x103 cm–3 in Helsinki. The mean 24 hour PM2.5 concentrations were 20, 23, and 13 µg/m3, respectively. Daily variation in ultrafine particle levels was not associated with CC16. In contrast, CC16 concentration seemed to increase with increasing levels of PM2.5 in Helsinki, especially among subjects with lung disorders. No clear associations were observed in Amsterdam and Erfurt. In Helsinki, the CC16 concentration increased by 20.2% (95% CI 6.9 to 33.5) per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration (lag 2). The respective pooled effect estimate was 2.1% (95% CI –1.3 to 5.6).

Conclusion: The results suggest that exposure to particulate air pollution may lead to increased epithelial barrier permeability in lungs.

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Selected References

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