Citation

Nwokoro C, Ewin C, Harrison C, Ibrahim M, Dundas I, Dickson I, Mushtaq N, Grigg J. Eur. Respir. J. 2012; 40(5): 1091-1097.

Affiliation

Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, European Respiratory Society)

DOI

10.1183/09031936.00195711

PMID

22362851

Abstract

Modelling studies suggest that urban cycling is associated with an increased inhaled dose of fossil-fuel derived black carbon. Using the amount of black material in airway macrophages as a marker of long-term inhaled black carbon, we sought to compare inhaled black carbon dose in London cyclists and non-cyclists.Alveolar macrophage carbon was assessed in 28/48 (58%) healthy adults (14 cyclists and 14 non-cyclists) who attended for induced sputum. Short-term (24 h) exposure to black carbon was assessed on a representative working day in 27/28. Serum interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was assessed 26/28.Cyclists had increased airway macrophage carbon compared with non-cyclists (1.81±0.21 μm(2) vs. 1.11±0.07 μm(2), P <0.01). Short-term monitoring showed no difference in 24 h black carbon exposure between the 2 groups. However, cyclists were exposed to higher concentrations of black carbon during commuting (P <0.01). Airway macrophage carbon was associated monitored commute black carbon (n=28, r = 0.47, P <0.05). TNF-α, but not other cytokines, was increased in cyclists (P <0.05).Commuting to work by bicycle London is associated with increased long-term inhaled dose of BC. Whether cycling per se increases inhaled BC dose remains unclear.

Language: en