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23 -25 September 2008
Inhaled Particles X is
organised by BOHS in conjunction with
The Aerosol Society
SOME TOPICS AND QUESTIONS FOR INHALED PARTICLES X
DOWNLOAD THE PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME FOR INHALED PARTICLES X
Here are some of the questions that the papers submitted for presentation at IPX will allow us to address:
Cardiovascular disease: What is the role of inhaled particles in the development of cardiovascular disease and/or the triggering of heart attacks?
Given the results on outdoor air pollution, is it to be expected that (i) occupational exposure and (ii) exposure indoors also lead to cardiovascular disease?
Is this an issue for combustion particles only or for other particles also?
Does outdoor air pollution affect the cardiovascular health only of people who are not fit enough to work; and if so, what does this imply for life expectancy?
Exposure to asbestos and other soil contaminants:
As well as the traditional research base on occupational exposure to asbestos, there are active areas of research in terms of (i) exposure within buildings and (ii) outdoor exposure, e.g. from contaminated soil. What can we gain from looking at these issues together?
What about other soil contaminants, for example, particles acting as vectors for persistent organic compounds of low volatility?
Nano-particles: Engineered nano-particles are the main focus of attention worldwide.
What can we learn from studies of ‘incidental’ nano-particles, e.g. from diesel traffic? Are results likely to be transferable?
What is new with regard to mechanisms?
What characteristics, other than size (aerodynamic diameter) are likely to be important – Shape? Surface area? Surface properties? Solubility?
ETS: The recent ban on smoking, in Scotland and in several other countries, has been accompanied by research to evaluate its effects – on attitudes, on indoor air in public buildings, on tobacco use in the home, on public health, on health of bar workers.
What have we learned from these studies?
To what extent is smoking cessation a good ‘model’ for reduction of air pollution, in terms of the time-course of recovery?
Developing countries: Traditional dusty diseases are less important now in many industrialised (post-industrial?) countries. Partly this is because of the decline of heavy industry in these countries; partly it is because of better controls on dust exposure at work. Internationally, however, exposure to silica, to coalmine dust, to asbestos and other fibres remains a major problem for worker’s health.
What is the state-of-play internationally – With incidence and prevalence of disease? With exposure control? With surveillance? What are examples of good practice?
To what extent is the existing very substantial research base on these dust-related diseases still relevant to current conditions worldwide? What new or different issues are now important?
Domestic exposure to biomass fuels: This is a major issue internationally.
What do we know about the combustion particles responsible?
What can be done to reduce exposure, while maintaining people’s capacity to get energy for warmth and cooking? What does it take for these measures to be implemented widely?
Miscellaneous topics and questions:
What is the relative toxicity of dust in underground transport systems? What are the associated risks to the health of (i) workers; (ii) the general public?
Welding fume includes very high numbers of very small particles. Why are the risks to the health of welders not greater than seems to be the case?
How can surface area be measured reliably? What is the current state-of-the art, and what are the prospects?
The effects on mortality of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution are generally ascribed to fine particles rather than to other components of the air pollution mixture. A long-standing question is: To what extent do fine particles with different characteristics, or from different sources, have the same toxicity (per unit mass)?
What is the current state-of-play on this important question?
What new information is coming available?
What are the implications for other sources of particulate exposure, e.g. in the home; at work?
Are the adverse respiratory effects of gas cooking due to particles or gases?
How do genetic poly-morphisms control the lung’s response to inhaled particles? What can we learn from inhalation of gases and other toxicants?
Do noise and particles interact to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease – near traffic? In the workplace?
Is the great difference in standards for workplace and outdoor particles explained entirely by differences in susceptibility, or to what extent is the notion of ‘voluntary’ and ‘involuntary’ risks also playing a part?
Is there such a thing as ‘inert’ or ‘nuisance’ dusts? Is there a sufficient evidence base for standard setting? Does it matter?
In studying the effects of inhaled particles, how important is it to take account of other routes of exposure (dermal, ingestion)? What examples are there of this being done and what do they show?
In studying the effects of inhaled particles, what confounding factors need to be taken into account? What examples do we have of very different effects of particles according to e.g. diet?
How does the perception of risk, among exposed people, relate to the scientific evidence of risk?
What measures, other than or in addition to legislation, have been successful in reducing exposures?
What advances have there been in personal protective equipment and its uptake? (Do dust masks really help cyclists in traffic?)
What is the current state-of-play for health impact assessment and cost-benefit analysis in policy development? What are the challenges?
Much of the evidence base on particles in outdoor air is based on short-term exposures (daily variations in exposure and effect). Short-term effects are studied occupationally, e.g. in identifying allergic effects. Is there scope for greater use of short-term studies in the workplace?
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