Respiratory Effects of Exposure to Diesel Exhaust

The effects were greater in subjects with moderate asthma than in those with mild asthma. These changes were accompanied by increases in biomarkers of neutrophilic inflammation (sputum myeloperoxidase, 4.24 ng per milliliter after expo- sure in Hyde Park vs. 24.5 ng per milliliter after exposure on Oxford Street; P=0.05) and airway acidification (maximum decrease in pH, 0.04% after exposure in Hyde Park and 1.9% after exposure on Oxford Street; P=0.003). The changes were associ- ated most consistently with exposures to ultrafine particles and elemental carbon. Conclusions Our observations serve as a demonstration and explanation of the epidemiologic evidence that associates the degree of traffic exposure with lung function in asthma.

from "The new england journal of medicine"

http://www.des-pneumo-idf.com/s/IMG/pdf/Respiratory_Effects_of_Exposure_to_Diesel.pdf