Abstract
Atmospheric fog plays some role in the production of symptoms in chronic bronchitis, but hitherto the blame has rested with pollutants rather than with the water droplet content itself. An investigation of the effects of an artificial water-containing fog at room temperature on the F.E.V.1·0 of seven patients with chronic bronchitis showed a significant reduction (mean 17·9%) as compared with a minimal or absent effect in seven out of eight normal subjects. The effect tended to persist in sensitive subjects but could be reversed by a bronchodilator. Additional experiments measuring airways resistance, total pulmonary resistance, and static and dynamic compliance tended to support the hypothesis that the fog effect is due to reflex bronchoconstriction. I suggest that water droplets, each having a finite momentum, initiate the reflex in the same manner as dust particles. Although these experiments were confined to large doses inhaled for brief intervals, it is possible that the presence of water droplets alone would increase the morbidity from atmospheric fog. Epidemiological studies on the effects of fog should include direct measurement of the water droplet content. Therapeutic aerosols might also produce this adverse effect.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- BOYD J. T. Climate, air pollution, and mortality. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1960 Jul;14:123–135. doi: 10.1136/jech.14.3.123. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- DUBOIS A. B., BOTELHO S. Y., COMROE J. H., Jr A new method for measuring airway resistance in man using a body plethysmograph: values in normal subjects and in patients with respiratory disease. J Clin Invest. 1956 Mar;35(3):327–335. doi: 10.1172/JCI103282. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- OTIS A. B., MCKERROW C. B., BARTLETT R. A., MEAD J., MCILROY M. B., SELVER-STONE N. J., RADFORD E. P., Jr Mechanical factors in distribution of pulmonary ventilation. J Appl Physiol. 1956 Jan;8(4):427–443. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1956.8.4.427. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WELLS R. E., Jr, WALKER J. E., HICKLER R. B. Effects of cold air on respiratory airflow resistance in patients with respiratory-tract disease. N Engl J Med. 1960 Aug 11;263:268–273. doi: 10.1056/NEJM196008112630602. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WIDDICOMBE J. G. Regulation of tracheobronchial smooth muscle. Physiol Rev. 1963 Jan;43:1–37. doi: 10.1152/physrev.1963.43.1.1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]