DE1 Study
Diesel exhaust inhalation in asthmatics: Oxidative stress as a mediator of airway reactivity and immune response
- Age
- 19-49 years old
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
- Subjects
- Healthy or Asthmatic
- Phase
- N/A
- Time
- 32 hours over 6 visits
Screening
-
Methacholine Challenges
-
Physical Exam by Respirologist
-
ECG Test
-
Lung Function Testing
-
Blood, urine, and nasal sample collections
-
Medical History Questionnaires
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Diesel or Filtered Air Exposure
The purpose of this research is to study the effects of diesel exhaust particles on airways disease such as asthma and on allergic responses.
The use of diesel engines is increasing because they are more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines, however, diesel engines produce different emissions than gasoline engines. Diesel exhaust is emitted from the tailpipe of both “on- road” diesel engine vehicles (diesel cars, buses and trucks) and “non-road” diesel engines (locomotives, marine vessels and some construction equipment). Diesel exhaust consists of both gaseous and particulate air pollutants.
Since people with asthma and allergic diseases appear to be sensitive to air pollution, we would like to know how diesel exhaust (DE) affects their respiratory and immune systems. Understanding these subtle changes will help us prevent health problems associated with air pollution in the future.