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THE MECHANISM OF SULFUR DIOXIDE INITIATED BRONCHOCONSTRICTION
Citation:
Charles, J. AND D. Menzel. THE MECHANISM OF SULFUR DIOXIDE INITIATED BRONCHOCONSTRICTION. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/1-77/046.
Description:
Atmospheric sulfur oxides exist in chemically complex particulates of the respirable size range. Inhalation of these particulates represents a potential health hazard. This report provides the results of a series of experiments into the uptake of sulfate salts by the lung, the interaction of sulfate salts with specific hormonal systems in the lung and the potential interrelations between sulfate and heavy metal aerosols as they might exist in the environment. The data reported describe for the first time the uptake and elimination kinetics of sulfate ion in mammalian lungs. The release of histamine by sulfate salts is demonstrated as a potential mechanism of action and as a means by which the varying potency of different chemical salts of sulfuric acid may be explained. In sum, these studies illustrate that sulfate aerosols can not be considered independent of the other inorganic compounds found in respirable particles.