Deep frying is one
of the strongest emission sources into indoor
air. A vegetable margarine has recently been used in commercial kitchens.
This study investigated the respiratory effects of exposure to its
fumes in an experimental model. A setup with glass chambers was constructed.
A chamber housed a fryer. The fumes were transported to the other
chamber where 24 Wistar albino rats were placed in four randomized
groups: acute, subacute, chronic, and control for the exposure durations.
PM
10
concentration in the exposure chamber was monitored
to ensure occupational levels were obtained. Sacrification was performed
24 h after exposure. Lung, trachea, and nasal concha specimens were
evaluated by two blinded histologists under a light microscope with
hematoxylin–eosin. Mild mononuclear cell infiltration, alveolar
capillary membrane thickening, alveolar edema, and diffuse alveolar
damage, along with diffuse hemorrhage, edema, and vascular congestion
in the interstitium were observed in the acute and subacute groups,
and were overexpressed in the chronic group, whereas normal lung histology
was observed in the control group. The results indicate that exposure
to fumes of vegetable margarine for frying in commercial kitchens
may cause pulmonary inflammation that becomes severe as the duration
of the exposure increases.