Diffuse alveolar damage after exposure to an oil fly ash.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Epidemiological investigation has established an association between exposure to particulate matter (PM) and both human mortality and diverse indices of human morbidity. However, attributing adverse health effects of specific individuals to PM exposure in these studies is not possible. Consequently, their clinical presentation remains ill-defined. We describe a 42-yr-old male with both respiratory damage, abnormal blood end points, and cardiac effects following an exposure to an emission source air pollution particle aerosolized during the cleaning of his domestic oil-burning stove. Early symptoms of shortness of breath and wheezing progressed over 2 wk to hypoxic respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation. Blood indices were abnormal. Thoracoscopic biopsy demonstrated particle-laden macrophages and diffuse alveolar damage. Symptomatic and objective improvement rapidly followed initiation of corticosteroids. He developed typical anginal symptoms within 2 wk of discharge; however, coronary angiography did not identify any significant narrowing of the epicardial coronary arteries. This patient presents with the aggregate of potential injuries described by epidemiological methods to be associated with air pollution particle exposure.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Ghio, AJ; Gilbey, JG; Roggli, VL; Richards, JH; McGee, JK; Carson, JL; Devlin, RB; Cascio, WE
Published Date
- October 15, 2001
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 164 / 8 Pt 1
Start / End Page
- 1514 - 1518
PubMed ID
- 11704605
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 1073-449X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1164/ajrccm.164.8.2102063
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States