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PubMed1975

Rat and rabbit response (in relation to age) to inhalation of automobile exhaust fumes.

Rats of two age groups, of 119 and 163 g mean body weight, were exposed for three and thirty days, respectively, to automobile gases diluted with air. In addition, rabbits, of 1.88 kg mean body weight, were exposed for twenty-four days. The conditions of exposure were kept nearly constant as related to the concentration of CO in the chamber. The following determinations were performed: (1) Body weight measurements as evidence of growth of the animals; (2) The number of alveolar macrophages (AM) in the lung washings; (3) Damage to the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane of AM; (4) Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity (G6PD) in AM; (5) The acid-base balance in the capillary blood of the rabbits. The results of the 30-day exposure show that automobile exhaust gases significantly inhibit the growth of both age groups; with significant body weight losses in the older animals from the 16th day of exposure. The number of AM was elevated in both groups. The activity of G6PD increased in the AM of the younger animals and decreased in the AM of the older as compared with the controls. The number of dead AM was higher in the older than in the younger rats. After the three-day exposure, no significant difference was found in the number of AM washed from the lungs of both exposed groups, compared with the controls. However, G6PD activity and the number of viable AM in the older animals were decreased and the percent of dead phagocytes was significant. The opposite effect was seen in the younger group. Alterations of lung tissue structure in the exposed animals were apparent to the naked eye. Acid-base response showed metabolic and respiratory disturbances as evidenced by the decrease in carbon dioxide tension (PCo2), the rise of hemoglobin by the reduction of pH level and by the base excess (BE). The inhibition of the growth of the rabbits was noted. The intra- and extrapulmonary effect of automobile exhaust gases after inhalation was observed as a complex of disturbances of the fundamental metabolic processes in the organism. The gases affected the cells of lung defence-alveolar macrophages and their biosynthetic activity.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed2005

Manganese concentrations in the air of the Montreal (Canada) subway in relation to surface automobile traffic density.

Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an organic derivative of manganese (Mn), used since 1976 in Canadian gasoline as an octane enhancer. Its combustion leads to the emission of Mn particles. Several studies carried out by our research group have established a correlation between atmospheric Mn concentrations and automobile traffic density, suggesting that MMT in gasoline could play a significant role. This study aims to measure Mn concentrations in the air of the underground subway in Montreal (Canada) and to examine the relation with nearby surface automobile traffic density and, by extension, with the use of MMT in gasoline. Three subway stations were chosen for their location in different microenvironments with different traffic densities. Respirable (MnR<5 microm) and total Mn (MnT) were sampled over two weeks, 5 days/week, 12 h/day. For the station located in the lower traffic density area, relatively low levels of MnR and MnT were found, with averages of 0.018 and 0.032 microg/m(3), respectively. These concentrations are within the range of the background levels in Montreal. For the other two stations, the average concentrations of MnR were twice as high and exceeded the US EPA reference concentration of 0.05 microg/m(3). Although there may be several sources of Mn from different components of the subway structure and vehicles, no correlation was found between subway traffic and atmospheric Mn in the subway. Since the air in the underground subway is pumped directly from outside without filtration, our findings strongly suggest that the combustion of MMT in automobiles is an important factor.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Platinum levels in natural and urban soils from Rome and Latium (Italy): significance for pollution by automobile catalytic converter.

Platinum concentrations in topsoil samples collected in 1992 (48) and in 2001 (16) from the urban area of Rome have been determined by ICP-MS. Concentrations in 47 soil samples collected in 1992 from natural sites of Latium (an area around Rome) have been determined for a first assessment of natural background levels. The Pt concentrations in Rome urban soils collected in 1992 range from 0.8 to 6.3 ng/g (mean = 3.8 +/- 1.0) overlapping the concentration range of natural soils from Latium (mean = 3.1 +/- 2.1 ng/g). No significant correlation has generally been found between Pt contents in the 'natural' soils and related bedrock or major pedogenetic parameters. These results suggest that there is no evidence of Pt pollution in Rome urban soils at that time, because the massive use of the automobile catalytic converter has only just started. Higher (up to six times more) Pt concentrations, than those measured in the 1992 samples, have been measured, in some cases, in Rome urban soils collected in 2001, suggesting a possible start of Pt accumulation because of the large-scale use in the last decade of automobile catalytic converters. At the same time, a clear decrease of lead levels in Rome urban soils with respect to the levels measured in 1992 has been observed, paralleling the decreasing number of lead gasoline-fuelled cars. Here we present one of the first systematic studies for defining background levels of Pt in Italian natural soils, thus allowing for monitoring, in the future, should any possible Pt pollution caused by the use of automobile catalytic converter, especially in urban soils, occur.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1998

Automobile airbag impulse noise: otologic symptoms in six patients.

Automobile airbag safety systems have successfully reduced the number of occupant injuries from motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, airbags are also associated with some inherent risk, including a high-amplitude, short-duration noise from airbag deployment. A review of the available research in the automobile industry indicates that the peak amplitude of this noise may exceed 170 dB sound pressure level. Despite the increasingly wide application of airbags in automobiles, there have been no previous reports of airbag-related otologic injuries. We have encountered six patients with otologic symptoms that appear to be related to airbag impulse noise. Five of these patients have documented hearing loss, one patient reported persistent tinnitus, and two patients have significant dysequilibrium. Although permanent hearing loss from airbag noise appears to be rare, temporary threshold shifts are probably much more common. It is important, therefore, that the clinician be aware of the noise associated with airbag inflation and the possibility of acoustic trauma from these safety devices.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The health effects of automobile exhaust. VI. Relationship of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in tunnel and turnpike workers.

To examine the effect of automobile exhaust on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function, the authors studied 175 tunnel and turnpike workers employed by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority on two occasions 3 yr apart beginning in 1972. A standard respiratory symptom and illness questionnaire was administered, spirometry was performed, and proximal hair lead and blood lead content were measured as biologic indices of automobile exhaust exposure. One hundred nine (63%) workers were current cigarette smokers, 41 (23%) were exsmokers, and 24 (14%) had never smoked. Smoking was strongly related to respiratory symptoms of cough (P less than .001) and phlegm production (P less than .001), but not to wheezing (P = .41), breathlessness (P = .14), bronchial asthma (P = .13), or frequent chest colds (P = .14). When workers were stratified by smoking status, no effect could be seen between high automobile exhaust exposure as measured by a variety of parameters and all of the above respiratory symptoms and illnesses. The level of pulmonary function [forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1.0) and forced vital capacity (FVC)] was not related to past or current exhaust exposure in a cross-sectional analysis when we controlled for age, height, and cigarette consumption. In a prospective analysis of 84 of these workers, the observed changes in FEV1.0 and FVC over 3 yr were unrelated to exhaust exposure after controlling for age, height, cigarette consumption, and initial level of pulmonary function.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory health associated with exposure to automobile exhaust. I. Results of cross-sectional studies in 1979, 1982, and 1983.

Three cross-sectional studies were conducted in an effort to investigate the effect of automobile exhaust on respiratory symptoms. Female adult subjects were selected from residents who lived near roadways that were subjected to very heavy traffic. A standard questionnaire was administered to approximately 5,000 people. Distances of the residences from the roadside were adopted as an index of exposure to automobile exhaust. The estimated odds ratios for chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic wheeze, shortness of breath, and chest cold with phlegm, relative to distance from the roadside--adjusted by age, smoking status, years at residence, occupation, and type of home heating-ranged from 0.76 to 2.75. The 95% confidence limits of the odds ratios for chronic cough and chronic phlegm excluded or approached 1.00 in each of the studies. This suggests that exposure to automobile exhaust may be associated with an increased risk of certain respiratory symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The pattern of injury to rear seat passengers involved in automobile collisions.

This retrospective study analyzed the pattern of injury among rear seat occupants in automobile collisions and compared the incidence and type of injury with that of front seat occupants. During a 2-year study period, 253 persons involved in automobile collisions were admitted to our hospital. Among these patients 168 were drivers, 54 were front seat passengers, and 24 were rear seat occupants. Injuries were classified into the following categories: neurologic, orthopedic, soft tissue, thoracic, and abdominal. No significant differences were observed in the type or extent of injury, in the incidence of permanent disability, or in the mortality rate based on the location of the passengers within automobiles involved in these crashes.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1995

Accuracy of emergency physician data collection in automobile collisions.

OBJECTIVE: Triage decisions must be based on accurate information with a valid understanding of injury patterns and their sources. Only a data base that includes both medical and collision factors can best provide the breadth of information required to achieve this goal. In the study reported here we assessed the accuracy of automobile collision data collected by emergency physicians compared with Police Accident Reports. DESIGN: Prospective study in which emergency medicine attending physicians completed questionnaires placed near the entrance to the trauma rooms in the emergency department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a two-month period the emergency medicine attending physicians obtained data concerning vehicle collision factors for all automobile collisions resulting in major trauma to patients over 18 years of age who were triaged to the Emergency Department at Stanford University Hospital, a level-I trauma center. These data were then compared by one of the investigators with the data contained in Police Accident Reports, which were available for 50 of the 64 patients who met the study eligibility criteria. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For each automobile collision, the attending physician was asked to collect the following data: direction of impact; extrication required; ejection; type and use of restraints; deployment of an airbag; type of vehicle; reported severity (minor, moderate, or major) of impact; presence and degree of steering wheel deformation; presence and degree of intrusion into occupant compartment; estimated speed and collision type (i.e., vehicle to vehicle, to fixed object, etc.) Nearly three-fourths (74%) of all cases had at least one discrepancy when compared with the Police Accident Reports, while 46% of these had multiple discrepancies. CONCLUSIONS: When data obtained by emergency physicians are compared with the information in Police Accident Reports, there are notable differences on several collision factors. Triage decisions must be based on accurate information with a valid understanding of injury patterns and their sources. Only a data base that includes both medical and collision factors can best provide the breadth of information required to achieve this goal.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of automobile safety restraint systems during pregnancy.

The American Medical Association's Committee on Medical Aspects of Automobile Safety recommends that pregnant women use seat belts. Currently, all military installations, 39 states, and the District of Columbia mandate varying degrees of seat belt usage. A survey was conducted to evaluate seat belt usage in the antepartum population at the Wilford Hall United States Air Force Medical Center. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents used automobile safety restraints 100% of the time when driving, and 90% of the respondents used automobile safety restraints 100% of the time when riding as a passenger. Twenty-three percent, however, were uniformed or misinformed about seat belt safety procedures and practices during pregnancy. Increased education regarding seat belt safety would be beneficial to this population.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2006

Infrared spectra of U.S. automobile original finishes. VII. Extended range FT-IR and XRF analyses of inorganic pigments in situ--nickel titanate and chrome titanate.

The identification, analysis, and occurrence in U.S. automobile original finishes (1974-1989) of Nickel Titanate (yellow) and Chrome Titanate (yellow-orange) are described in this report. The titanate pigments are based on the rutile (titanium dioxide) structure and there are only minor differences between the infrared absorptions of rutile and the titanates. Titanate pigment absorptions in paint spectra can thus be easily mistaken for those of rutile. Each of the titanates, however, contains two elements in addition to titanium that can serve to distinguish them using elemental analyses. Fourier transform infrared (4000-220 cm(-1)) and X-ray fluorescence instruments were used in combination for the in situ analysis of the titanates. In addition to titanium, nickel, and antimony, the three main detectable elements comprising Nickel Titanate, all of the commercial products of this pigment that were examined also contained impurities of zirconium, niobium, and usually lead. These elements were also detected in most of the monocoats in which Nickel Titanate was identified, as well as in the Chrome Titanate pigments, and the zirconium to niobium ratio was found to exhibit a wide variation. Nickel Titanate is a relatively common pigment that was identified in nearly three dozen U.S. automobile yellow nonmetallic monocoats (1974-1989), while Chrome Titanate appears to have been used in only a few yellow and orange nonmetallic monocoats. The use of the titanate pigments likely increased after this time period as they were replacements for lead chromate pigments (last used in a U.S. automobile original finish in the early 1990s), and are more amenable for use in basecoat/clearcoat finishes than in monocoats. Minor distortions of the infrared absorptions of rutile, anatase, and the titanates obtained using accessories with diamond windows were noted, and their origins are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Study of lead exposure from automobile exhaust as a risk for nephrotoxicity among traffic policemen.

BACKGROUND: Traffic policemen are the most exposed population to lead (Pb) from automobile exhaust. There has been increasing concern about the possible harmful effects of Pb from automobile exhaust on health of traffic policemen. However, no such study was concerned with the impact of Pb exposure on renal function among them. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of Pb exposure from automobile exhaust on renal integrity among traffic policemen. METHODS: Markers of tubular damage [urinary excretion of beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT)], a marker of glomerular injury (albuminuria), and markers of glomerular filtration [serum creatinine, serum beta(2)M and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)] were determined in 43 traffic policemen (Pb-exposed group) and 52 matched healthy persons (control group). Pb levels in blood, urine, hair and nails were determined in the two groups as exposure indices of Pb. RESULTS: The results obtained show that the Pb-exposed group had higher Pb levels in blood, urine, hair and nails than the controls. Among the Pb-exposed group, Pb levels in blood, hair and nails showed significant and positive correlations with the duration of exposure to Pb which is measured as the duration of employment. Among the studied markers of kidney damage, urinary excretion of NAG and albumin were significantly higher in the Pb-exposed group than in the controls. Urinary excretion of NAG was positively correlated with duration of exposure, blood Pb and nail Pb. Urinary albumin was positively correlated with duration of exposure, blood Pb and hair Pb. The other markers of kidney damage were neither elevated nor correlated with exposure indices of Pb. CONCLUSION: Traffic policemen are liable to Pb toxicity, and the determination of Pb in blood, hair and nails are good markers of such toxicity. In these exposure conditions, kidney damage is possible. Such damage is both tubular and glomerular in nature and can be documented by determination of the urinary excretion of NAG and albumin.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1993

Traumatic aortic valve injury sustained despite the deployment of an automobile air bag.

Blunt chest trauma is a rare cause of aortic valve dysfunction. A case of the successful management of traumatic injury to the aortic valve is reported. The aortic valve injury was sustained in an automobile accident despite the use of a seat belt and the deployment of an air bag. The literature is briefly reviewed. Aortic valve injury remains a consideration in cases of automobile-associated chest trauma, even in automobiles equipped with seat belts and air bags.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2006

Injury outcomes in children following automobile, motorcycle, and all-terrain vehicle accidents: an institutional review.

OBJECT: The authors performed an analysis of retrospectively obtained data to compare the outcomes of pediatric patients admitted to their institution for traumatic injuries resulting from car, motorcycle, and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of Columbus Children's Hospital's Trauma Registry data collected between January 1993 and December 2003. Data obtained in patients admitted with motor vehicle-related injuries were compiled for a total of 1608 patient records. Data regarding sex, age, hospital length of stay (LOS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, revised trauma score, injury severity score (ISS), and use of a protective device were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Of 1608 patients, 1257 (78%) were injured in automobile accidents, 123 (7.6%) in motorcycle accidents, and 228 (14.2%) in ATV accidents. Injuries sustained in all vehicle types peaked during the summer months. Patients involved in automobile crashes presented with significantly lower GCS scores than those injured in motorcycle and ATV accidents; however, there was no statistically significant difference in LOS among all three injury modalities. Protective devices were underutilized in all three motor vehicle categories but, when used, were associated with significantly higher GCS scores, ISSs, and shorter LOSs among patients admitted after automobile accidents. The correlation of seat belt use with better outcomes underscores the necessity to improve motor vehicle safety education for children, who are less likely to be restrained as they age.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2004

Detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure from automobile exhaust fumes using urinary 1-hydroxypyrene level as an index.

UNLABELLED: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hydrocarbon compounds which originate from incomplete combustion. In humans, PAHs are bioactivated to reactive metabolites which can bind covalently to DNA and subsequently initiate mutation and carcinogenesis. The measurement of PAHs exposure may be used as an index to classify a cancer risk group. The purpose of the present study was to measure the level of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, a metabolite of PAHs, in subjects exposed to automobile exhaust fumes compared to non-exposed subjects. A urine sample was collected from each individual subject after the end of a working day and quantitated for 1-hydroxypyrene and creatinine by HPLC and spectrophotometric method, respectively. The results showed that average urinary 1-hydroxypyrene level in exposed subjects was significantly higher than non-exposed subjects (mean +/- SD of 0.0035 +/- 0.0032 and 0.0011 +/- 0.0010 micromol/l, respectively; P = 0.000). Average urinary creatinine level in exposed subjects was also significantly higher than non-exposed subjects (mean +/- SD of 0.01 +/- 0.005 and 0.008 +/- 0.006 mol/l, respectively; P = 0.040). The ratio of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene/mol creatinine level, of the exposed subjects was significantly higher than that of the non-exposed subjects (mean +/- SD of 0.37 +/- 0.28 and 0.19 +/- 0.22 micromol/mol creatinine, respectively; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Automobile exhaust fume exposed subjects have a higher risk to be exposed to PAHs than the non-exposed subjects. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene level can be used as an index for an exposure of PAHs which have originated from automobile exhaust fumes and other sources as well.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Epidemiology and prevention of ischaemic heart disease in automobile industry workers.

Following on the epidemiological study of cardiovascular diseases carried out in the rural population of Northern Bohemia in 1970 a long-term ischaemic heart disease prevention programme was launched in a group of 2582 men aged between 30-59 years, worked of two automobile plants in the district of Mladá Boleslav. Under der programme "Protected Your Heart", sponsored by the Automobile Works National Enterprise (AZNP), workers were urged to adjust their food intake in keeping with the principles of rational nutrition, to stop smoking and to take regular after-work cross-country 4 km/1 hr walks. No such programme was carried out at the automobile plant LIAZ serving as control.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The tumor-producing effect of automobile exhaust condensate and fractions thereof. Part III: mathematical-statistical evaluation of the test results.

This paper deals with the mathematical-statistical evaluation of experiments devoted to the following problems: 1. To what extent is the carcinogenic potency of automobile exhaust gas condensate dependent on the dose? 2. What fractions (groups of substances) of the automobile exhaust gas condensate are mainly responsible for the carcinogenic potency? 3. To what extent can the potency be explained by fractions (or single substances)? In order to answer the above questions, the working group planned animal experiments (cf. Misfeld and Timm, 1973) and obtained, prepared, and fractionalized automobile exhaust gas condensate (Grimmer, 1978). The exhaust gas condensate and its fractions were dropped onto the skin of female CFLP mice (Brune et al., 1978). In view of the problems posed above, the aim of the mathematical-statistical evaluation was to establish the dose-response relations, to assess the combined effect, and to estimate the relative potency and the assumed potency. In particular, the hypothesis (basis for the separation process) that the potency of the entire exhaust gas condensate is mainly attributable to the fraction which contains the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitromethane phase) was examined.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Parallel risks of automobile collisions and thefts: a potential means of separating driver and vehicle factors.

This paper examines the value of data published by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) on the collision frequency of different automobile models as a potential guide to vehicle safety. It is argued that these data fail to control for factors other than design, including vehicle usage and driving quality. An alternative measure of collision risk, controlled for some of these factors, is constructed employing the fact that theft risk is determined by many of the same usage characteristics as collision risk. This alternative measure is validated by demonstrating that it is a more effective predictor of injury risk than collision frequency. In conclusion it is argued that if HLDI collision data are to provide a more useful guide to the relative design safety of different automobile models, the data need to be controlled for a wider range of potentially confounding factors.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed2005

The world's first automobile fatality.

The first recorded automobile fatality occurred in a small town in the Irish Midlands in 1869. Mary Ward, a celebrated microscopist, artist, astronomer and naturalist, fell from a steam carriage and died after crush injuries from its heavy iron wheels. The story of first automobile fatality characterizes the individual tragedy that is each premature death. It also illuminates the story of a remarkable Victorian scientific family. Among their many achievements was the building of a reflector telescope in the heart of rural Ireland that was the largest in the world for 74 years.

Accidents, Traffic↗