Nitrogen dioxide inhalation and human blood biochemistry

Abstract

Blood from ten young adult male humans, exposed to 1 ppm or 2 ppm nitrogen dioxide (N02) for 2.5-3.0 hr, was examined for evidence of biochemical changes. The experiments lasted three days. The subjects entered an environmental chamber, performed mild exercise, and completed a series of measurements of pulmonary physiology while breathing fdtered air. Blood samples were then taken and analyzed. This regimen was repeated on the second and third day, except that the chamber atmosphere now contained 1 ppm or 2 ppm N0 2 Paired group analyses were performed on the data. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the activity of the erythrocyte membrane enzyme acetylcholinesterase at both N0 2 levels. Levels of peroxidized red blood cell lipids showed statistically significant elevations after inhalation of 2 ppm N0 2 but not 1 ppm. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was significantly elevated only after the second 2-ppm. © 1978 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.