nitrogen-dioxide and Eye-Diseases

Worldwide lockdown reduced air pollution during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between exposure to ambient air pollution, digital display device use and dry eye symptoms amongst patients with severe ocular surface disease (OSD) were considered. Symptoms and air pollutant concentrations for three different time periods (pre, during and post COVID-19 lockdown) were analysed in 35 OSD patients who achieved an immunosuppression risk-stratification score > 3 fulfilling the UK Government criteria for 12-week shielding. OSDI symptoms questionnaire, residential postcode air pollution data obtained from the Defra Automated Urban and Rural monitoring network for concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Communicable Disease Control; COVID-19; Eye Diseases; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pandemics

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical relevance of chronic exposure to ambient levels of traffic derived air pollution on the ocular surface.. A panel study involving 55 volunteers was carried out in São Paulo, Brazil. We measured the mean individual levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) exposure for 7 days. All subjects answered the Ocular Symptom Disease Index (OSDI) and a symptoms inventory. Subsequently, subjects underwent Schirmer I test, biomicroscopy, vital staining and tear breakup time (TBUT) assessment. Subject's mean daily exposure to NO(2) was categorized in quartiles. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD and Chi-Square tests.. A dose-response pattern was detected between OSDI scores and NO(2) quartiles (p<0.05). There was a significant association between NO(2) quartiles and reported ocular irritation (Chi(2)=9.2, p<0.05) and a significant negative association between TBUT and NO(2) exposure (p<0.05, R=-0.316, Spearman's correlation). There was a significant increase in the frequency of meibomitis in subjects exposed to higher levels of NO(2) (p<0.05).. Subjects exposed to higher levels of traffic derived air pollution reported more ocular discomfort symptoms and presented greater tear film instability, suggesting that the ocular discomfort symptoms and tear breakup time could be used as convenient bioindicators of the adverse health effects of traffic derived air pollution exposure.

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Eye Diseases; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nitrogen Dioxide; Vehicle Emissions; Young Adult

The impact of major gaseous and particulate pollutants emitted by the wildfire of October 2003 on ambient air quality and health of San Diego residents before, during, and after the fire are analyzed using data available from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and California Air Resources Board. It was found that fine particulate matter (PM) levels exceeded the federal daily 24-hr average standard during the fire. There was a slight increase in some of the gaseous pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, which exceeded federal standards. Ozone (O3) precursors, such as total hydrocarbons and methane gases, experienced elevated concentration during the fire. Fortunately, the absence of sunlight because of the cloud of thick smoke that covered most of the county during the fire appears to have prevented the photochemical conversion of the precursor gases to harmful concentrations of O3. Statistical analysis of the compiled medical surveillance data has been used to establish correlations between pollutant levels in the region and the resultant health problems experienced by the county citizens. The study shows that the increased PM concentration above the federal standard resulted in a significant increase in hospital emergency room visits for asthma, respiratory problems, eye irritation, and smoke inhalation. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that hospitals and emergency medical facilities engage in pre-event planning that would ensure a rapid response to an impact on the healthcare system as a result of a large wildfire and appropriate agencies engage in the use of all available meteorological forecasting resources, including real-time satellite imaging assets, to accurately forecast air quality and assist firefighting efforts.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Asthma; California; Carbon Monoxide; Cities; Dust; Emergency Service, Hospital; Environmental Monitoring; Epidemiological Monitoring; Eye Diseases; Fires; Hospitalization; Humans; Hydrocarbons; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particle Size; Respiration Disorders; Smoke; Smoke Inhalation Injury; Sulfur Dioxide

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Emergencies; Eye Diseases; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Nitrogen Oxides; Ozone; Paris; Sulfur Dioxide; Weather

The animal studies in mice resulted as follows. Long-term exposure to NO2 at or above 0.5 ppm affected primarily the respiratory organs. The pulmonary effect of NO was slighter than NO2. Nitrosylhemoglobin formation in vivo was much smaller than in vitro strong affinity of NO with hemoglobin. The components other than O3 contained in the photochemically formed oxidant mixtures enhanced the effect of O3 alone. Symptoms of the patients seriously injured by photochemical smog in Japan suggested the different type in quality from the Los Angeles-type smog.

Topics: Air Pollution; Animals; Dizziness; Eye Diseases; Glutathione; Hemoglobins; Humans; Japan; Lung; Mice; Nausea; Nitric Oxide; Nitrogen Dioxide; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Smog

Topics: Adult; Air Pollution; Eye Diseases; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Photochemistry; Sulfur Acids