Effects of the exposure to indoor cooking-generated particles on nitric oxide exhaled by women: Fid-Bau Portal

Effects of the exposure to indoor cooking-generated particles on nitric oxide exhaled by women

Stabile, L. / Fuoco, F.C. / Marini, S. / Buonanno, G.

Abstract In this study short-term respiratory effects due to the exposure to cooking-generated aerosols were assessed through a marker of airway inflammation (exhaled Nitric Oxide, eNO). The exposure of 43 non-atopic, non-smoking women in terms of particle number and surface area concentration was monitored during their normal cooking activities through hand-held aerosol monitors. Women using gas (n = 23) and electric (n = 20) stoves were considered in the survey. Surface area particle doses deposited in the alveolar region of the lungs (mm²) received by each woman were measured as well as their levels of eNO concentration. Associations between woman exposure to cooking-generated aerosol and short-term changes of eNO were found. In particular, women using electric stoves reported a statistically significant eNO reduction during the cooking sessions, whereas an increase in eNO was measured in women using gas stoves. The results support the potential link between short-term exposures to cooking-generated particles and women's respiratory inflammation responses.

Highlights • Measurements of particle exposure and nitric oxide exhaled by women were performed. • Women using gas and electric stoves were considered in the study. • Cooking leads to high women exposures to ultrafine particles. • Women received alveolar-deposited surface area higher than 100 mm²/h. • A reduction of eNO was measured when the received particle doses increased.