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The effect of respirator dead space and lung retention on exposure estimates.

This paper develops, tests, and applies equations that predict the magnitude of the effect of lung retention and respirator dead space on average inhalation concentration and other related quantities. The equations were validated by numerical simulation and experimental measurement with a respirator on a mannequin connected to a breathing machine. Experimental data are presented verifying the applicability of the equations. The authors present applications of the equations and procedures to various types of respirator performance measurements and to a predictive respirator performance model. Graphs are presented giving correction factors. In all cases the correction factors are less than 2. Under typical conditions of workplace protection factor measurement with half-mask respirators, average inhalation concentration will be 105% to 125% of full-cycle average concentration.

Environmental Exposure↗

Performance of N95 respirators: reaerosolization of bacteria and solid particles.

If a respirator does not contain an exhalation value, and the respirator wearer sneezes or coughs, one may expect previously collected particles to be reaerosolized. This may be of special concern in environments contaminated with airborne microorganisms. The percentages of reaerosolization were measured in a test setup where the number of reaerosolized particles were registered by dynamic aerosol size spectrometry relative to the number of previously collected particles or bacteria. Experiments at low relative humidity have shown that the reaerosolization of particles below 1 micron, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis surrogate bacteria, does not exceed 0.025%, even if the re-entrainment air velocity is as high as 300 cm/sec (i.e., 37 times the air velocity through the respirator during breathing under heavy workload conditions). The reaerosolization of larger particles into dry air was significant at the highest re-entrainment velocity of 300 cm/sec, which simulates violent sneezing or coughing: 0.1% for 3 microns and about 6% for 5-micron test particles. No reaerosolization was detected at relative humidity levels exceeding 35% at these conditions. Thus, it is concluded that the reaerosolization of particles and bacteria, collected on the fibrous filters of N95 respirators, is insignificant at conditions encountered in respirator wear.

Aerosols↗

Field performance measurements of half-facepiece respirators: steel mill operations.

Ambient and in-facepiece samples to evaluate the protection provided by negative-pressure, half-facepiece respirators were collected on workers in different areas of a steel mill including a sinter plant and a basic oxygen process shop. Protection was assessed by workplace protection factors (WPF). All the in-facepiece concentrations were dramatically less than the corresponding ambient concentration levels or permissible exposure limits. The geometric mean (GM) ambient and in-facepiece concentrations of iron were found to vary among tasks. Significant differences were also found to occur between the GM ambient exposure levels in which some of the respirators were used. Significant differences in respirator performance as measured by WPF or in-facepiece iron concentration were observed among different brands of respirators. For all job classifications and at all levels of airborne exposure, the fifth percentile estimates for the WPF distributions for each brand of respirator were all greater than 20.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Performance when breathing through different respirator inhalation and exhalation resistances during hard work.

Respirator inspiratory and expiratory breathing resistances impact ventilation and performance when studied independently. However, it is less clear as to how various combinations of inhalation and exhalation resistance affect user performance. The present study investigated the performance of 11 individuals during constant load, demanding work to exhaustion while wearing respirators with eight different combinations of inhalation and exhalation resistance. Exercise performance time, performance rating, minute volume, and peak inspiratory and expiratory airflow were recorded at the end of each test trial, and independent correlations with inhalation resistance and exhalation resistance were assessed. The combined impacts of respirator inhalation and exhalation resistances were quantified as the total external work of breathing (WOB(tot)) and correlations between the test variables and WOB(tot) were also examined. Significantly linear decreases in performance were found with increased inhalation resistances independent of exhalation resistance (R(2) = 0.99; p < 0.001) and with increased WOB(tot) (R(2) = 0.92; p < 0.001). Performance also decreased with increased exhalation resistance but no significant relationships were found. Minute volume decreased linearly with increased inhalation resistance independent of exhalation resistance (R(2) = 0.99; p < 0.001), but the linear decrease observed between minute volume and WOB(tot) was weak (R(2) = 0.36; p < 0.05). These findings suggest that WOB(tot) serves as a reliable estimate of the combined impacts of respirator inhalation and exhalation resistances on user performance during hard work, but that inhalation resistance alone serves as a better predictor of ventilation during respirator wear.

Adolescent↗

Performance of a full facepiece, air-purifying respirator against lead aerosols in a workplace environment.

This study evaluated workplace performance of a full facepiece, negative pressure, air-purifying respirator with P100 filters in a lead refining plant. Air samples for lead were collected inside and outside the respirators worn by workers who were properly trained and quantitatively fit tested. Trained observers assisted in the study to ensure sample validity. Three to four pairs of air samples per day were collected from each worker for a total of 52 valid sample sets. Lead was found on all the outside samples, and concentrations were below the detection limit for all but one of the inside samples. The single measurable inside sample yielded a workplace protection factor (WPF) of 297. WPFs for the rest of the samples were estimated using the assumption that lead was present at the detection limit for the in-facepiece samples. Calculated WPFs were rounded down to the nearest 100 then subjected to a rank and percentile function. The 5th percentile WPF was approximately 900 using this approach. These WPFs exceed the assigned protection factor (APF) of 50 for this respirator class recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and listed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These results support the APF of 50 for this respirator and indicate the respirator provided adequate protection as used in this study.

Aerosols↗

The relative efficacy of respirators and room ventilation in preventing occupational tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relative efficacy of personal respiratory protection as the concentrations of infectious aerosols increase or as room ventilation rates decrease. METHODS: We modified the Wells-Riley mathematical model of airborne transmission of disease by adding a variable for respirator leakage. We modeled three categories of infectiousness using various room ventilation rates and classes of respirators over a 10-hour exposure period. RESULTS: The risk of infection decreases exponentially with increasing room ventilation or with increasing personal respiratory protection. The relative efficacy of personal respiratory protection decreases as room ventilation rates increase or as the concentrations of infectious aerosols decrease. CONCLUSIONS: These modeling data suggest that the risk of occupational tuberculosis probably can be lowered considerably by using relatively simple respirators combined with modest room ventilation rates for the infectious aerosols likely to be present in isolation rooms of newly diagnosed patients. However, more sophisticated respirators may be needed to achieve a comparable risk reduction for exposures to more highly concentrated aerosols, such as may be generated during cough-inducing procedures or autopsies involving infectious patients. There is probably minimal benefit to the use of respirators in well-ventilated isolation rooms with patients receiving appropriate therapy.

Air Microbiology↗

Evaluation of misting controls to reduce respirable silica exposure for brick cutting.

It is estimated that more than 1.7 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to respirable crystalline silica, with a large percentage having been exposed to silica concentrations higher than the limits set by current standards and regulations. The purpose of this study is to characterize the use of water-misting engineering controls to reduce exposure to respirable crystalline silica for construction workers engaged in the task of brick cutting. Since data concerning the efficacy of engineering controls collected at worksites is often confounded by factors such as wind, worker skill level, the experiments were conducted in a laboratory environment. A completely enclosed testing chamber housed the brick-cutting saw. Respirable dust concentrations were measured using the Model 3321 Aerodynamic Particle Sizer. Specifically, the laboratory experiment was designed to compare dust suppression through water misting using conventional freely flowing water techniques. Brass atomizing nozzles with three flow rates were used for making this comparison: low (5.0 ml s(-1) or 4.8 gal h(-1)), medium (9.0 ml s(-1) or 8.6 gal h(-1)) and high (18 ml s(-1) or 17.3 gal h(-1)). The flow rate for freely flowing water, using manufacturer-supplied equipment, was 50 ml s(-1) (48 gal h(-1)). The experiment consisted of five replications of five samples each (low-misting, medium-misting, high-misting, freely flowing water and no control). The order of sampling within each replicate was randomized. Estimates of dust reduction showed that low-misting nozzles reduced the respirable mass fraction of dust by about 63%, medium-misting nozzles by about 67%, high-misting nozzles by about 79% and freely flowing water by about 93%. Based on these results, it may be feasible to use misting to control respirable silica dust instead of freely flowing water. This strategy is of practical interest to the construction industry which must frequently limit the amount of water used on construction sites.

Aerosols↗

Respiration and reproductive effort in Xanthium canadense.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The proportion of resources devoted to reproduction in the plant is called the reproductive effort (RE), which is most commonly expressed as the proportion of reproductive biomass to total plant biomass production (RE(W)). Reproductive yield is the outcome of photosynthates allocated to reproductive structures minus subsequent respiratory consumption for construction and maintenance of reproductive structures. Thus, RE(W) can differ from RE in terms of photosynthates allocated to reproductive structures (RE(P)). * METHODS: Dry mass growth and respiration of vegetative and reproductive organs were measured in Xanthium canadense and the amount of photosynthates and its partitioning to dry mass growth and respiratory consumption were determined. Differences between RE(W) and RE(P) were analysed in terms of growth and maintenance respiration. * KEY RESULTS: The fraction of allocated photosynthates that was consumed by respiration was smaller in the reproductive organ than in the vegetative organs. Consequently, RE(P) was smaller than RE(W). The smaller respiratory consumption in the reproductive organ resulted from its shorter period of existence and a seasonal decline in temperature, as well as a slower rate of maintenance respiration, although the fraction of photosynthates consumed by growth respiration was larger than in the vegetative organs. * CONCLUSIONS: Reproductive effort in terms of photosynthates (RE(P)) was smaller than that in terms of biomass (RE(W)). This difference resulted from respiratory consumption for maintenance, which was far smaller in the reproductive organ than in vegetative organs.

Ecosystem↗

Muscle respiration in rats is influenced by the type and level of dietary fat.

Experiments were conducted to elucidate the role of muscle in the enhanced thermogenic response found in rats fed diets enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Isolated soleus muscle respiration and plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were determined in rats (approximately 128 g wt, 5 wk age) fed diets (minimum 3 wk) containing coconut oil, beef tallow or safflower oil at 20, 40 or 60% of the total dietary energy in a 3 x 3 factorial design (5-6 rats per treatment). Diet type did not affect plasma cholesterol concentrations but plasma triglycerides were lower (P < 0.01) in rats fed safflower oil-based diets. Greater levels of fat in the diet resulted in higher (P < 0.01) plasma cholesterol concentrations and lower (P < 0.01) plasma triglyceride concentrations. Rats fed coconut oil had lower (P < 0.05) rats of soleus muscle respiration compared with rats fed the other two diets. This lower respiration rate was not related to changes in protein synthesis (cycloheximide-sensitive respiration). However, this change may partially be related to enhanced Na+,K+ transport (ouabain-sensitive respiration). The results indicate that muscle is partially responsible for the enhanced thermogenic response found in rats fed diets enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids and that enhanced ion transport contributes to this response in muscle.

Animals↗

Methyl hydroperoxy-epoxy-octadecenoate as an autoxidation product of methyl linoleate: a new inhibitor-uncoupler of mitochondrial respiration.

A new peroxide compound (ML-X) was isolated from an autoxidation product of methyl linoleate and was determined as methyl 9-hydroperoxy-12, 13-epoxy-10-octadecenoate. This compound inhibited state 3 respiration of rat heart- and liver mitochondria when glutamate and malate were used as substrates, but not when the substrate was succinate. State 4 respiration of mitochondria was not affected when glutamate-malate was used as the substrate, but it was stimulated when the substrate was succinate. ML-X inhibited oxidative phosphorylation of the mitochondria and abolished the membrane potential formed by respiration or by added ATP. NADH oxidase activity of submitochondrial particles was inhibited by ML-X but succinate oxidase activity was not inhibited. NADH-acceptor reductase activities of submitochondrial particles were inhibited by ML-X to the same extents as by rotenone. These findings show that ML-X has dual effects on mitochondrial respiration as (1) an inhibitor of NADH dehydrogenase complex and (2) an uncoupler. Neither methyl linoleate monohydroperoxide nor methyl epoxy stearate has such effects. ML-X is a new type of inhibitor-uncoupler of mitochondrial respiration in which hydroperoxy- and epoxy groups co-operate.

Animals↗

Comparing stem respiration and growth of jack pine provenances from northern and southern locations.

Stem respiration rates of 31-year-old jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) trees from northern and southern provenances growing in a common garden were compared. At 15 degrees C, the seasonal course of stem respiration rate of northern provenances was not statistically different from that of southern provenances. A relationship existed between maintenance respiration rate and stem growth rate. Because relationships between sapwood relative growth rate and annual growth and maintenance respiration rates were similar for northern and southern provenances, no clinal differences in stem respiration rates were observed.

Journal Article↗

Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of ecosystem respiration along an Oregon conifer transect: preliminary observations based on small-flask sampling.

Isotope ratio analyses of atmospheric CO(2) at natural abundance have significant potential for contributing to our understanding of photosynthetic and respiration processes in forest ecosystems. Recent advances in isotope ratio mass spectrometry allow for rapid, on-line analysis of small volumes of CO(2) in air, and open new research opportunities at the ecophysiological, whole-organism, and atmospheric levels. Among the immediate applications are the carbon and oxygen isotope ratio analyses of carbon dioxide in atmospheric air. Routine analysis of carbon dioxide in air volumes of approximately 50-300 &mgr;l is accomplished by linking a commercially available, trace gas condenser and gas chromatograph to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer operated in continuous-flow mode. Samples collected in the field are stored in either gas-tight syringes or 100-ml flasks. The small sample volume required makes it possible to subsample the air in flasks for CO(2) and then to sample the remaining air volume for the analysis of the isotopic composition of either methane or nitrous oxide. Reliable delta(13)C and delta(18)O values can be obtained from samples collected and stored for 1-3 days. Longer-term storage, on the order of weeks, is possible for delta(13)C measurements without drift in the isotope ratio signal, and should also be possible for delta(18)O measurements. When linked with an infrared gas analyzer, pump and flask sampling system, it is feasible to sample CO(2) extensively in remote forest locations. The air-sampling system was used to measure the isotope ratios of atmospheric CO(2) and to conduct a regression analysis of the relationship between these two parameters. From the regression, we calculated the delta(13)C of ecosystem respiration of four coniferous ecosystems along a precipitation gradient in central Oregon. The ecosystems along the coast-to-interior Oregon (OTTER) gradient are dominated by spruce-hemlock forests at the wet, coastal sites (> 200 cm precipitation annually) to juniper woodlands (20 cm precipitation) at the interior, dry end of the transect. The delta(13)C values of ecosystem respiration along this transect differed by only 1.3 per thousand (range of -25.2 to -23.9 per thousand ) during August at the peak of the summer drought. Following autumn rains in September, the delta(13)C of ecosystem respiration in the four stands decreased; overall the difference in the carbon isotope ratio of ecosystem respiration among sites increased to 3.9 per thousand (-26.8 to -22.9 per thousand ).

Journal Article↗

Acclimation of photosynthesis and respiration to simulated climatic warming in northern and southern populations of Acer saccharum: laboratory and field evidence.

Physiological acclimation and genotypic adaptation to prevailing temperatures may influence forest responses to future climatic warming. We examined photosynthetic and respiratory responses of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) from two portions of the species' range for evidence of both phenomena in a laboratory study with seedlings. A field study was also conducted to assess the impacts of temperature acclimation on saplings subjected to an imposed temperature manipulation (4 degrees C above ambient temperature). The two seedling populations exhibited more evidence of physiological acclimation to warming than of ecotypic adaptation, although respiration was less sensitive to short-term warming in the southern population than in the northern population. In both seedling populations, thermal compensation increased photosynthesis by 14% and decreased respiration by 10% in the warm-acclimated groups. Saplings growing in open-top field chambers at ambient temperature and 4 degrees C above ambient temperature showed evidence of temperature acclimation, but photosynthesis did not increase in response to the 4 degrees C warming. On the contrary, photosynthetic rates measured at the prevailing chamber temperature throughout three growing seasons were similar, or lower (12% lower on average) in saplings maintained at 4 degrees C above ambient temperature compared with saplings maintained at ambient temperature. However, the long-term photosynthetic temperature optimum for saplings in the field experiment was higher than it was for seedlings in either the 27 or the 31 degrees C growth chamber. Respiratory acclimation was also evident in the saplings in the field chambers. Saplings had similar rates of respiration in both temperature treatments, and respiration showed little dependence on prevailing temperature during the growing season. We conclude that photosynthesis and respiration in sugar maple have the potential for physiological acclimation to temperature, but exhibit a low degree of genetic adaptation. Some of the potential for acclimation to a 4 degrees C increase above a background of naturally fluctuating temperatures may be offset by differences in water relations, and, in the long term, may be obscured by the inherent variability in rates under field conditions. Nevertheless, physiologically based models should incorporate seasonal acclimation to temperature and permit ecotypic differences to influence model outcomes for those species with high genetic differentiation between regions.

Journal Article↗

Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibits hepatocyte mitochondrial respiration.

Although direct cytotoxicity is a well-established phenomenon of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)-induced tissue damage, the intracellular events leading to cell death are still poorly understood. To study the cytotoxic effects of TNF alpha on normal parenchymal cells, rat hepatocytes were purified and incubated with various concentrations of TNF alpha. Mitochondrial respiration, total protein synthesis, and enzyme release were measured to assess metabolic performance and cell integrity. Treatment with TNF alpha suppressed mitochondrial respiration in a concentration-dependent fashion, resulting in a reduction of the activity of complex I of the respiratory chain to 67.0 +/- 3.5% of that of untreated hepatocytes by 2000 U/mL TNF alpha. Under these conditions protein synthesis and the release of intracellular enzymes were significantly increased. Both hepatocellular enzyme release and inhibition of mitochondrial respiration appear to be associated with the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates by the hepatocyte itself, because oxygen radical scavengers prevented these adverse effects of TNF alpha. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide as well as addition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate synergistically enhanced the suppression of mitochondrial respiration by TNF alpha, resulting in complex I activity of 6.9 +/- 1.6% and 24.9 +/- 2.9% of that of untreated cells. These data indicate that inhibition of mitochondrial respiration is one of the mechanisms by which TNF alpha induces tissue injury.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Decision model for optimizing respirator protection.

Respirators are widely used for protection against inhaled toxins. The emphasis of research and implementation effort has evolved through several stages: the respirator device itself, use situation, respirator program factors under employer control, individual worker factors not under employer control, and occupational health systems. For this study, a computer-simulation decision assistance model was developed to assess the impact of various factors on the number of workers receiving adequate protection. Factors include the respirator protection factor, identification of sites needing respirator protection, selection of proper device, availability when needed, frequency of ever use, regularity of use among users, and variability in personal susceptibility or other factors. This analysis demonstrates that for both moderate-risk and high-risk (i.e., IDLH, immediately dangerous to life and health) exposures under current circumstances, the actual protection afforded depends upon the optimization of program factors and detection of atypical outlier persons and worksites. Therefore, programs and research must focus on these areas. Occupational medicine specialists should help optimize these areas and, in addition, use each case of respiratory protection failure as an index case to improve the overall programs.

Computer Simulation↗

Respiration rate, growth rate and the accumulation of streptomycin in Escherichia coli.

Using chemostat cultures of Escherichia coli it was possible to vary respiration rates while maintaining a constant growth rate. This allowed the effect of variations in respiration rates on the accumulation of streptomycin to be studied in cultures at constant growth rates. At a particular dilution rate cultures exhibited higher respiration rates when phosphate limited growth than when carbon limited growth. A ubiquinone-deficient strain had a lower rate of respiration at a particular dilution rate than a related ubiquinone-sufficient strain. In spite of these differences in respiratory activity, the accumulation of streptomycin was identical in carbon- and in phosphate-limited chemostat cultures of ubiquinone-deficient and ubiquinone-sufficient strains. Moreover, accumulation of streptomycin in an anaerobic chemostat culture occurred at the same rate as that in an aerobic chemostat. There was however a lag of 1.5 h before accumulation commenced in the anaerobic culture, a feature that was not apparent in the aerobic culture. These results indicate that the lower rates of respiration in slow-growing bacteria are not responsible for the decreased accumulation of streptomycin in slow-growing compared to fast-growing cultures. Moreover, it seems unlikely that quinones are involved directly (e.g. as carriers) in streptomycin accumulation, since removal of 90% of cellular ubiquinone, or replacement of ubiquinone with a structural analogue, did not affect accumulation as long as mutant and parent cultures grew at the same rate.

Anaerobiosis↗

Cyanide inhibits respiration yet stimulates aerobic growth of Zymomonas mobilis.

Potassium cyanide at submillimolar concentrations (20-500 microM) inhibited the high respiration rates of aerobic cultures of Zymomonas mobilis but, remarkably, stimulated culture growth. In batch culture, after an extended lag phase, exponential growth persisted longer, resulting in higher biomass densities. In aerobic chemostat cultures, elevated biomass concentration was observed in the presence of cyanide. This growth stimulation effect is attributed to decreased production of the inhibitory metabolite acetaldehyde at lowered respiration rates, when more reducing equivalents are channelled to alcohol dehydrogenase. Growth in the presence of cyanide did not alter the membrane cytochrome content. In non-growing cyanide-preincubated cells, with ethanol as the respiratory substrate, cyanide increased ATP levels; in such cells, a large part of the cyanide-sensitive respiration was inhibited within a few seconds after ethanol addition, while inhibition of the rest of respiration took several minutes. The more cyanide-sensitive respiration was apparently energy-nongenerating, and was absent in membrane preparations. Pelleting of membranes from cell-free extracts produced 'soluble' fractions in which a b-type haem was detectable by reduced minus oxidized difference spectroscopy. The function of the Z. mobilis respiratory chain in cell growth and respiratory protection, and the possible physiological role of aerobic generation of inhibitory metabolites, are discussed.

Acetaldehyde↗

The paradoxical cyanide-stimulated respiration of Zymomonas mobilis: cyanide sensitivity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH II).

The respiratory inhibitor cyanide stimulates growth of the ethanologenic bacterium Zymomonas mobilis, perhaps by diverting reducing equivalents from respiration to ethanol synthesis, thereby minimizing accumulation of toxic acetaldehyde. This study sought to identify cyanide-sensitive components of respiration. In aerobically grown, permeabilized Z. mobilis cells, addition of 200 microM cyanide caused gradual inhibition of ADH II, the iron-containing alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme, which, in aerobic cultures, might be oxidizing ethanol and supplying NADH to the respiratory chain. In membrane preparations, NADH oxidase was inhibited more rapidly, but to a lesser extent, than ADH II. The time-course of inhibition of whole-cell respiration resembled that of NADH oxidase, yet the inhibition was almost complete, and was accompanied by an increase of intracellular NADH concentration. Cyanide did not significantly affect the activity of ADH I, the zinc-containing alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme. When an aerobic batch culture was grown in the presence of 200 microM cyanide, cyanide-resistant ADH II activity was observed, its appearance correlating with the onset of respiration. It is concluded that the membrane-associated respiratory chain, but not ADH II, is responsible for the whole-cell cyanide sensitivity, while the cyanide-resistant ADH II is needed for respiration in the presence of cyanide, and represents an adaptive response of Z. mobilis to cyanide, analogous to the induction of alternative terminal oxidases in other bacteria.

Aerobiosis↗