TITLE:
Exposure to Fine Particles by Mine Tailing and Lung Function Effects in a Panel of Schoolchildren, Chañaral, Chile
AUTHORS:
Karla Yohannessen Vásquez, Sergio Alvarado Orellana, Stephanie Mesías Monsalve, José Klarián Vergara, Claudio Silva Zamora, Daniella Vidal Muñoz, Dante D. Cáceres Lillo
KEYWORDS:
Mine Tailings, Fine Particulate Matter, Heavy Metals, Lung Function, Schoolchildren
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.6 No.2,
February
11,
2015
ABSTRACT: There is much literature on the effects
of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on respiratory and cardiovascular
health. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of PM2.5 on a
population living in the vicinity of a massive deposit of mine tailings. A
longitudinal panel study was performed to evaluate the association between
exposure to PM2.5 and acute effects on lung function in schoolchildren
from November 2012 to May 2013. Ambient levels of PM2.5 and its
metal composition were measured. Lung function was evaluated using spirometric
testing. Associations were quantified using GEE multilevel analysis controlling
for confounders by using different lag time periods. The chemical
characterization of PM2.5 had high levels of S > Na > Cl >
Ca > Si > Fe > Al > Mg > K > Cu > Ti > and Zn, which
would be associated with metals present in tailings. We found a negative association
between the temporal variation of PM2.5 and changes in lung function
specifically on forced vital capacity. Our results suggest that schoolchildren
exposed to fine particulate matter from tailings deposited in the bay of
Chanaral have their forced vital capacity decreased, which would affect their
present and future lung development, increasing the risk of developing chronic
respiratory diseases.