Impact of atmospheric microparticles and heavy metals on external respiration function of urbanized territory population

Aim — This study was designed to determine the impact of the features of fractional composition of atmospheric suspensions and toxic heavy metals on external respiration function (ERF) of healthy people and patients with respiratory pathology living in Vladivostok, Russia. Methods — The study of ERF of healthy people and patients with respiratory diseases was conducted by spirography and body plethysmography. Air pollution by suspended particulate matter (SPM; 0-700 µm and >700 µm) and toxic heavy metals was determined by collection of atmospheric precipitation (snow) in place of residence of patients. The effect of SPM on ERF was measured by discriminant analysis. Results — We identified that small (0-1 µm) and medium (10-50 µm) dispersed fractions impact on total bronchial resistance in healthy people, SPM 50-100 µm influence on patency of small and medium-sized bronchi, expiration time; toxic metals (Mn, Cu, Zn) impact on bronchial patency. We revealed that the 0-50 µm fractions and metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn) impact on patency of large and medium-sized bronchi and bronchial resistance of patients with chronic catarrhal non-obstructive bronchitis. The impact of SPM and toxic metals on ERF of patients with controlled asthma has not been demonstrated. The maximal pathogenic impact of air pollution on ERF of patients with uncontrolled asthma has been found. We detected that SPM 0-1 µm and 50-100 µm have a negative effect on bronchial patency, hyperinflation of the lung and total bronchial resistance. Conclusions — We determined that exposure intensity of SPM increase depending on severity of respiratory disease.