Short terms effects of air pollution from biomass burning in mucociliary clearance of Brazilian sugarcane cutters

Abstract

Nasal mucociliary system is the first line of defense of the upper airways and may be affected acutely by exposure to particulate matter (PM) from biomass burning. Several epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a consistent association between levels of air pollution from biomass burning with increases in hospitalization for respiratory diseases and mortality. To determine the acute effects of exposure to particulate matter from biomass burning in nasal mucociliary transport by saccharin transit time (STT) test, we studied thirty-three non-smokers and twelve light smokers sugarcane cutters in two periods: pre-harvest season and 4 h after harvest at the first day after biomass burning. Lung function, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), nasal symptoms questionnaire and mucociliary clearance (MC) were assessed. Exhaled CO was increased in smokers compared to non-smokers but did not change significantly after harvest. In contrast, STT was similar between smokers and non-smokers and decreased significantly after harvest in both groups (p < 0.001). Exposure to PM from biomass burning did not influence nasal symptoms. Our results suggest that acute exposure to particulate matter from sugarcane burned affects mucociliary clearance in smokers and non-smokers workers in the absence of symptoms.

Absenteísmo por doença ocupacional de trabalhadores rurais no setor canavieiro

“…Em um estudo realizado no campo de trabalho com cortadores de cana-de-açúcar, mostrou-se que a exposição aguda de quatro horas ao material particulado advindo da queima de biomassa foi responsável pela alteração do mecanismo de defesa respiratório desses trabalhadores 17 .…”

Association between particulate matter air pollution and monthly inhalation and nebulization procedures in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil

“…Where sugarcane is grown and processed, the population has suffered from constant burning in the fields 27 , which increases the release of air pollutants, responsible for various health problems 41,42 . Ribeirão Preto has been heavily affected by this problem in recent decades, not only due to burning in sugarcane fields, but also by fires set by the residents themselves, who believe that burning fallen leaves and branches and the weeds growing on and around their lots, or even household garbage, will solve the problem of accumulated waste around their homes.…”

“…Both fine and heavier particles can accumulate in the respiratory system, while the thicker particles can aggravate preexisting respiratory problems, especially in children and elderly, increasing the risk of emergency hospitalization and premature death 22,23 . In this context, various studies have shown that the release of gases from burning organic matter increases the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and that substances resulting from burning of sugarcane contribute to the incidence and increase of respiratory tract diseases 18,23,24,25,26,27 .…”

Função pulmonar e depuração mucociliar nasal de cortadores de cana-de-açúcar brasileiros expostos à queima de biomassa

“…A study has shown that acute exposure to sugarcane burning causes decreased mucociliary transport time in workers 9 . However, long-term effects are expected to increase mucociliary transport time 10 and decrease lung function 11 .…”

“…Thus, it is very important to know the effects of atmospheric pollutants, which can affect both MC and lung function, eventually leading to an increase in lung diseases and nasal symptoms 7,[9][10][11] . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sugarcane burning on sugarcane workers' lung function and mucociliary clearance.…”