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Inhalation Toxicology
International Forum for Respiratory Research
Volume 21, 2009 - Issue 10
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Research Article

Synergistic effect of air pollution and habitual smoking on the retention of inorganic fibers identified as ferruginous bodies in autopsy cases in Mexico City

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Pages 882-888 | Received 08 Jun 2008, Accepted 20 Oct 2008, Published online: 02 Apr 2009
 

Abstract

In order to evaluate the synergistic effect of habitual smoking and air pollution in Mexico City on the retention of inorganic fibers, ferruginous bodies (FB) were quantified as markers of exposure to inorganic fibers in lung digests from 426 autopsy cases. FB were isolated from 426 lung digests from cases with several lung diseases. The results revealed more retention of FB in the smokers group than in non-smokers: 38 FB per gram (FB/g) versus 11.2 FB/g, respectively (p < 0.05). Male smokers living in Mexico City increased their median to 54 FB/g. This contrasts with the median of outside residents: 11.2 FB/g (p < 0.002). Housewives and manual laborers increased their medians when the smoking habit was positive: from 11 to 14 FB/g, and from 16 to 21.5 FB/g, respectively. There is an effect of tobacco smoke on the retention of more fibers identified as FB when the individuals are males and Mexico City residents.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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