Research Reports

HEI’s mission is to provide credible science to support environmental regulations and other policy decisions. The results of each HEI-funded project undergo peer-review by outside scientists and the Health Review Committee. The HEI Research Reports contain the Investigator’s Report and the Review Committee’s evaluation of the study, summarized in a Commentary or short Critique.

ISSN 1041-5505 (print) ISSN 2688-6855 (online)

Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide on Alveolar Epithelial Barrier Properties

Research Report 13

Edward D Crandall

Jeffrey M Cheek

Marian E Shaw

Edward M Postlethwait

1987

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

This report describes a study by Dr. Crandall and colleagues to investigate the ability of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) to adversely alter the barrier and transport properties of mammalian alveolar epithelium and cause pulmonary edema. Rat type II alveolar cell monolayers cultured on non-porous and porous surfaces were used as models of isolated alveolar epithelium for in vitro exposure to NO₂.

Neurotoxicity of Prenatal Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Research Report 12

Laurence D Fechter

1987

Topics:

Carbon Monoxide

This report describes a study by Dr. Fechter to investigate the effect of prenatal and neonatal exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide (CO) on the developing rat brain. Groups of rats were exposed prenatally, or prenatally plus 10 days neonatally to take into account the fact that the developing rat brain is considerably less mature at birth than the primate brain. Consequently, rats were exposed to CO concentrations ranging from 75-300 ppm through the period of neuronal proliferation and into the period of synapse formation.

Effects of Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide on Human Lung Proteinase Inhibitors

Research Report 11

David A Johnson

1987

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

Ozone & Oxidants

Addressing the need for better assessment of human exposure to mobile source emissions, this report investigates proteinase inhibitor activity as a potential biomarker of oxidant exposure. In this study by Dr. Johnson, human participants were exposed to 0.5 ppm ozone for four hours on consecutive days and to concentrations ranging from 0.6-2 ppm nitrogen dioxide for three hours. Blood samples were obtained and the functional activity of the proteinase inhibitors, alpha-1-proteinase, and bronchial leukocyte proteinase was assessed.

Predictive Models for Disposition of Inhaled Diesel Exhaust Particles in Humans and Laboratory Species

Research Report 10

CP Yu

GB Xu

1987

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Biological Methods

Dr. Yu's project addressed several important issues regarding improved quantification of dose from known concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter. By focusing first on a specific category of automotive-derived particles, diesel exhaust particulate, Dr. Yu was able to characterize those aerosol properties (such as the mass medican aerodynamic diameter and size distribution) that influence regional deposition. After formulating a mathematical deposition model, Dr.

Biochemical and Metabolic Response to Nitrogen Dioxide-Induced Endothelial Injury

Research Report 9

Jawaharlah M Patel

Edward R Block

1987

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogen dioxide is a ubiquitous air pollutant resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels. Since NO₂ is a reactive free radical, one postulated mechanism on NO₂ pulmonary injury involves peroxidation of membrane lipids. Dr. Patel and colleagues at the University of Florida evaluated the dose- and time-dependent effects of NO₂ exposure by measuring metabolic function, biochemical and biophysical parameters. The porcine pulmonary artery and aortic endothelial cells in monoculture cells were exposed to 3 or 5ppm of NO₂ or air for 3-24 hours.

Effects of Inhaled Nitrogen Dioxide and Diesel Exhaust on Developing Lung

Research Report 8

Joe L Mauderly

David E Bice

Robert L Carpenter

Nancy A Gillett

Rogene F Henderson

John A Pickrell

Ronald K Wolff

1987

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Nitrogen Oxides

Previous research has reported that the lung development of animals exposed to oxidant gases early in life might be impaired, or that developing lungs might be more susceptible than adult lungs to inhaled toxicants. Dr. Mauderly and colleagues at the Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute examined the age-related differences in the physiological responses of rats to inhaled automotive emissions. The younger group was exposed during gestation and through the age of six months, while the older group was exposed between the age of six and twelve months.

DNA Adducts of Nitropyrene Detected by Specific Antibodies

Research Report 7

John D Groopman

1987

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Research Report 7 describes a study that attempted to produce monoclonal antibodies to DNA adducts of nitropyrene that could be used to study the mechanism of nitropyrene-induced carcinogenesis or develop analytical techniques for monitoring exposed populations. Dr. Groopman immunized mice against nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons conjugated with a carrier protein to study the progression of immune response. Dr. Groopman injected four antigens into groups of BALB/c, AJ, and NZB mice. Two of the antigens failed to produce any immune response.

Effect of Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, and Peroxyacetyl Nitrate on Metabolic and Pulmonary Function

Research Report 6

Deborah M Drechsler-Parks

1987

Topics:

Nitrogen Oxides

Ozone & Oxidants

Dr. Drechsler-Parks and colleagues at the Institute of Environmental Stress sought to examine the effects of nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and peroxyacetyl nitrate on metabolic and pulmonary function. Because it is possible that two or more pollutants could interact in ambient air and cause effects that could not be predicted from the effects observed with the individual pollutants, the investigators examined varying levels of different pollutants in 32 non-smoking men and women (8 men and 8 women 18-26 years of age and 8 men and 8 women 51-76 years of age).

An Investigation into the Effect of a Ceramic Particle Trap on the Chemical Mutagens in Diesel Exhaust

Research Report 5

Susan T Bagley

Linda D Dorie

David G Leddy

John H Johnson

1987

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Dr. Bagley and colleagues at Michigan Technical University examined the chemical mutagenic effects of a ceramic particle trap on a medium-duty diesel engine. Diesel exhaust particles and vapor phase samples were collected from diluted (15:1) exhaust of a 10.4L displacement Caterpillar 3208 engine. The investigators compared uncontrolled (baseline) emissions with exhaust that had been modified by the use of an uncatalyzed monolithic ceramic trap.

The Metabolic Activation and DNA Adducts of Dinitropyrenes

Research Report 4

Frederick A Beland

1986

Topics:

Diesel Exhaust

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental contaminants that often contain genotoxic activity. Dinitropyrenes are a class of PAHs that are associated with diesel exhaust. In this study, Dr. Beland and colleagues at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences sought to determine what factors contribute to the extreme genotoxicity of dinitropyrenes in bacteria and to establish if the same factors were important for the genotoxicity of dinitropyrenes in mammalian systems.