Aerosolized Particulate Matter and Blunting of Ciliary Dynamic Responses: Implications for Veterans and Active Duty Military in Southwest Asia

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma are observed at increased rates in active duty and veteran military members, and they are especially prevalent in individuals who have been deployed in Southwest Asia during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Particulate matter, specifically the fine-grain desert sand found in the Middle East, may be a key source of this pathology because of deleterious effects on mucociliary clearance. Materials and Methods: With IRB approval, human sinonasal tissue was grown at an air-liquid interface and cultures were exposed to different types and sizes of particulate matter, including sand from Afghanistan and Kuwait. Ciliary dynamic responses to mechanical stimulation and ATP application were assessed following particulate exposure. Results: Particle size of the commercial sand was substantially larger than that of the sand of Afghan or Kuwaiti origin. Following exposure to particulate matter, normal dynamic ciliary responses to mechanical stimulation and ATP application were significantly decreased (P