Completed

DE2 Study

Effect of Exposure to Allergens and Air Pollution on Lung Function and Immunity

Study Details


Identifier
NCT01792232
Status
Complete
Age
19-49 years old
Location
Vancouver, BC
Subjects
Healthy or Asthmatic
Phase
N/A
Time
35 hours over 7 visits

Screening

  • Methacholine Challenges

  • Allergen Skin Prick Testing

  • Lung Function Testing

  • Blood, urine, and nasal sample collections

  • Medical History Questionnaires

  • Diesel or Filtered Air Exposure

  • Bronchoscopy

The purpose of this research is to study the effects of diesel exhaust particles on lung function 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.