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Romero-Gutierrez C, Koutrakis P, Liu M, Vieira CL, Coull BA, Maher EF, Zhang J(J, Garshick E. Radon decay product particle radioactivity and oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with COPD. Environ Res 2024; 240:117505. [PMID: 37890828 PMCID: PMC10842416 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Radon decay products include α-radiation emitting radionuclides that attach to airborne particles that have potential to promote oxidative tissue damage after inhalation. To assess associations between α-particle radioactivity (α-PR) with urinary biomarkers of oxidative tissue damage, 140 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had up to four 1-week seasonal assessments (N = 413) of indoor (home) and ambient (central site) PM2.5 and black carbon (BC). Following environmental sampling, urine samples were analyzed for total and free malondialdehyde (MDA), biomarkers of lipid oxidation, and 8-hydroxyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of DNA oxidative damage. Particle radioactivity was measured as α-activity on PM2.5 filter samples. Linear mixed-effects regression models adjusted for urinary creatinine and other personal characteristics were used to assess associations. Indoor α-PR was associated with an increase in 8-OhdG (8.53%; 95% CI: 3.12, 14.23); total MDA (5.59%; 95% CI: 0.20, 11.71); and free MDA (2.17%; 95% CI: 2.75, 7.35) per interquartile range (IQR) of α-PR [median 1.25 mBq/m3; IQR 0.64], similar adjusting for PM2.5 or BC. The ratio of indoor/ambient α-PR was positively associated with each biomarker and associations with ambient α-PR were positive but weaker than with indoor concentrations. These findings are consistent with a contribution of radon decay products as measured by α-PR to oxidative stress in patients with COPD, with a greater contribution of indoor radon decay products.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carolina L.Z. Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brent A. Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Edward F. Maher
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Junfeng (Jim) Zhang
- Nicholas School of the Environment and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine Section, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Wang VA, Koutrakis P, Li L, Liu M, Vieira CLZ, Coull BA, Maher EF, Kang CM, Garshick E. Particle radioactivity from radon decay products and reduced pulmonary function among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Environ Res 2023; 216:114492. [PMID: 36209792 PMCID: PMC9701170 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radon (222Rn) decay products can attach to particles in the air, be inhaled, and potentially cause airway damage. RESEARCH QUESTION Is short-term exposure to particle radioactivity (PR) attributable to radon decay products emitted from particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) associated with pulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS In this cohort study, 142 elderly, predominantly male patients with COPD from Eastern Massachusetts each had up to 4 one-week long seasonal assessments of indoor (home) and ambient (central site) PR and PM2.5 over the course of a year (467 assessments). Ambient and indoor PR were measured as α-activity on archived PM2.5 filter samples. Ratios of indoor/ambient PR were calculated, with higher ratios representing PR from an indoor source of radon decay. We also considered a measure of outside air infiltration that could dilute the concentrations of indoor radon decay products, the indoor/ambient ratio of sulfur concentrations in PM2.5 filter samples. Spirometry pre- and post-bronchodilator (BD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were conducted following sampling. Generalized additive mixed models were adjusted for meteorologic variables, seasonality, and individual-level determinants of pulmonary function. We additionally adjusted for indoor PM2.5 and black carbon (BC). RESULTS PR exposure metrics indicating radon decay product exposure from an indoor source were associated with a reduction in FEV1 and FVC. Patients in homes with high indoor PR (≥median) and low air infiltration ( INTERPRETATION Our findings raise concern about the harmful effects of PR exposures attributable to residential radon on pulmonary function in patients with COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica A Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Longxiang Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carolina L Z Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward F Maher
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Choong-Min Kang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine Section, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Abstract
During the initial phases of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program, all calculations of organ doses due to internally deposited radionuclides were performed using the Integrated Modules for Bioassay Analysis program. However, limitations associated with this program, including the need to calculate separate internal dose assessments for each radionuclide, created inefficiencies in the processing of claims. As a result, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health developed and introduced a suite of tools to expedite the process. The first of these was the Chronic Annual Dose Workbook program. This innovative tool permits a dose reconstructor to calculate, in a single step, an organ dose that involves up to 255 separate intakes in any combination of radionuclides, intake modes, and absorption types. In addition, the program enables dose reconstructors to determine the specific radionuclide characteristics that will deliver the highest organ dose for a specific intake. Furthermore, the results are displayed in a format that is compatible with the Interactive RadioEpidemiological Program, which is used by the U.S. Department of Labor in establishing the probability of causation. The value of the probability of causation, in combination with other information, subsequently enables the U.S. Department of Labor to render a decision on compensability. These developments have played a major role in enabling the dose reconstruction teams to meet the claim processing goals with increased efficiency and accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward F Maher
- Dade Moeller & Associates, 526 Main Street, Suite 201, Acton, MA 01720, USA.
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Maher EF. 2003 Robley D. Evans Commemorative Medal presented to Dade W. Moeller at the 48th annual meeting of the Health Physics Society, San Diego, CA 20-24 July 2003. Health Phys 2003; 85:654-656. [PMID: 14626316 DOI: 10.1097/00004032-200312000-00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
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Maher EF. 1999 William B. McAdams Outstanding Service Award--Bryce L. Rich. Health Phys 1999; 77:631-632. [PMID: 10568538 DOI: 10.1097/00004032-199912000-00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E F Maher
- American Board of Health Physics, Acton, MA 01720-2830, USA
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Rudnick SN, Hinds WC, Maher EF, First MW. Effect of plateout, air motion and dust removal on radon decay product concentration in a simulated residence. Health Phys 1983; 45:463-470. [PMID: 6885451 DOI: 10.1097/00004032-198308000-00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The effectiveness of increased air motion and dust removal in reducing radon decay product concentration in residences subject to radon intrusion was evaluated in a 78-m3 room under steady-state conditions for air infiltration rates between 0.2 and 0.9 air changes per hour. Room-size, portable electrostatic precipitators and high-efficiency fibrous filters were tested as typical residential air cleaning devices; a portable box fan and a ceiling fan were employed as typical residential air movers. Reductions in working levels of 40-90% were found. The fate of radon decay products, with and without mixing fans, was determined by direct measurement. When mixing fans were used, most of the nonairborne potential alpha-energy was plated out on the room surfaces; less than 10% was deposited on the fan blades or housing. Results were compared to a mathematical model based on well-mixed room air, and good agreement was obtained.
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Mikesell GW, Maher EF. The effects of severe keratitis on corneal transmission. J Am Optom Assoc 1978; 49:63-7. [PMID: 415084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
An investigation into the effects of keratitis on corneal light transmission is presented. Transmission data from 9 diseased corneas are compared to those of 22 normal corneas in the 0.3-0.8 micron spectral range. Rhesus monkey corneas were used in the study. Several color photographs illustrate varieties of idiopathic keratitis in rhesus monkeys.
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