Asthma Linked to Congested Highways: Those Living Near Heavily Traveled Interstate Have Higher Rate…

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.downstate.edu/news_releases/2012/news_release_full18.html

[font face=Serif]June 26, 2012

[font size=5]Asthma Linked to Congested Highways:[/font]

[font size=4]Those Living Near Heavily Traveled Interstate Have Higher Rates of Disease[/font]

[font size=3]Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, found that living near a heavily congested highway correlates with a higher presence of asthma.

In a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the researchers found higher rates of asthma among those living closer to Interstate 278, near a portion known locally as the Gowanus Expressway, and lower rates of disease in those living in the same community but farther from the Interstate.

SUNY Downstate’s Maria-Anna Vastardi, MD, said, “Our participants were randomly recruited and we observed that the patients who reported asthma live significantly closer to the Gowanus Expressway, compared to the healthy controls who live in the same area, but at a longer distance from the Gowanus.”

The findings indicate that proximity to a heavily trafficked highway correlates with the presence of asthma in adults, but not with seasonal allergy, according to Dr. Vastardi. The results suggest that vehicle emissions may increase the risk for developing inflammatory lung disease in adults.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.188

[hughee99]

1. Intersesting conclusion.

While it may be true, I'm not sure that one can conclude that because people living closer to the Gowanus Expressway have higher rates of Asthma, that it is necessarily true for all interstates. I wonder if proximity to the Gowanus canal (a superfund site) may have something to do with this as well.

[happyslug]

2. Confirms studies that tie Asthma among Rubber tire workers

http://www.ejgm.org/files/EJGM-439.pdf

Rubber workers among other workers with work related Asthma:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_asthma

Seems tied in with Natural Rubber more the Synthetic rubber, through this cite is more concern by Latex gloves causing astma then just Natural Rubber tires causing the asthma:
http://www.ersj.org.uk/content/8/11/1957.full.pdf

Synthetic Rubber did not exist prior to WWII (Technically they did exist, but no one used them until WWI, for Germany, WWII for the US). When Natural Rubber was cut off due to WWII, Synthetic Rubber was put into production in the US as a replacement. Synthetic Rubber is more expensive, degraded at a much lesser rate then Natural Rubber, provided the same electrical protection as Natural Rubber and provided a superior grip on the road Natural Rubber had one advantage, it lasted longer and took more heat and was cheaper.

Starting in the 1970s, manufacturers started to go back to more and more Synthetic Rubber for light trucks and cars, but more Natural Rubber in tires for larger trucks (including Semi-trailers). Truckers wanted something that will last a long time, and that is Natural Rubber. Heat is related to tire pressure, since natural rubber can handle heat better then synthetic rubber, truckers like natural Rubbers for it permitted higher tire pressures and thus better fuel economy (At the cost in higher levels of heat in the tires).

The problem was as you increase tire pressure, both natural and synthetic tires lose traction (and heat increases inside the tire). Given the weight of most trucks, not a concern for most commercial trucks thus the fuel savings from using natural rubber over came the additional traction of using synthetic rubber (Light trucks and SUVs would be the exception to this rule, preferring the better traction of Synthetic Tires).

Thus the movement back to Natural Rubber was to permit higher tire pressure (Most tractor trailers use 50 psi or higher tires) for better fuel economy. At the same time SUVs and Light Trucks (And Automobiles) shifted to higher synthetic content, for better traction.

This is complicated by the use of Retreads on most Tractor Trailers. Only the front wheels are forbidden to have re-treads, and given natural rubbers easier ability to adhere. most re-treads were made of Natural Rubber (even as the rest of the tire had been made of Synthetic Rubber).

This site says re-treads can be used on ALL wheels, except passenger buses steering wheels. May be true, but good practice has always restricted any retread from being on any steering wheels.
http://www.retread.org/?page=Myths

The following British cite states Large Trucks use nothing but Natural Rubber tires, synthetic rubber is reserved for small trucks and cars:
http://www.seas.columbia.edu/earth/RRC/documents/recycling_rubber.pdf

Another British cite said the following, and give high level of Natural Rubber in Truck tires, but note all tires have both Natural and Synthetic Rubber in therm:
"When more grip is needed, more synthetic rubber is used. When more heat and wear are required, more natural rubber is added."

http://www.socfin.com/Public/Page.php?ID=1102&ancestor1=1079

Thus is this increase in Asthma from rubber, caused by the increase in Natural Rubber, as the trucking industry embraced it for superior fuel economy, or Synthetic Rubber, which used on most Light Trucks, SUVs and automobiles do to its superior grip on the road? Could be a combination of both.

[Kolesar]

3. Rubber workers use talc to separate layers and low-grade talc has asbestos in it

Or so I read many years ago.

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Nurses apparently develop latex sensitivities due to the powder on gloves

Last edited Wed Jun 27, 2012, 01:55 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/HIVandAIDSActivities/ucm126383.htm

[font face=Serif][font size=5]Medical Glove Powder Report[/font]

[font size=4]Issue[/font]

[font size=3]Do current Center policies adequately address potential adverse health effects of medical glove powder?[/font]

[font size=4]Background[/font]

[font size=3]The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as other state and federal agencies, has received requests to ban the use of glove powder. It has been suggested that experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that glove powder on medical gloves can enhance foreign body reactions, increase infections and act as a carrier of natural latex allergens. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently issued a safety alert recommending the use of powder-free, reduced protein content latex gloves to reduce exposure to natural latex proteins (allergens).

For the purposes of this document, total particulate matter [glove powder] includes dusting or donning powders, mold-release compounds, and manufacturing debris. Dry lubricants such as cornstarch, silicone etc., are used to make donning gloves easier and to prevent gloves from sticking together during the manufacturing process. Cornstarch, which meets the specification for absorbable dusting powder in the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), is the most common lubricant for patient examination gloves. Only absorbable dusting powders that have an approved Premarket Approval Application (PMA) or New Drug Application (NDA) may be used for lubricating surgeons gloves. There are no comprehensive studies of the amount of absorbable dusting powder used on powdered gloves. It is estimated that amounts of total particulates may range from 120 to 400 mg for a medium size powdered glove. [Appendix A]

Glove powder is composed of particles, thus, issues related to biologic responses to foreign bodies apply to both natural rubber latex (NRL) and synthetic gloves. Industry conversion from talcum powder, a non-absorbable lubricant, to absorbable cornstarch has greatly reduced the formation of granulomas. Adhesions of peritoneal tissue after surgery are associated with foreign bodies and remain a concern. The issue of the level of micro-organisms (bioburden) on gloves has been raised under various circumstances. However, evidence that bioburden and powder are related do not exist at this time. [Appendix B]

Experimental and clinical data demonstrate that: natural latex proteins are allergenic, natural latex proteins bind to cornstarch, aerosolized powder on NRL gloves is allergenic and can cause respiratory allergic reactions. These published studies support the conclusion that airborne glove powder represents a threat to individuals allergic to natural rubber latex and may represent an important agent for sensitizing non-allergic individuals. There are also published data (although limited) and clinical experience that cornstarch powder on NRL gloves may also be a contributing factor in the development of irritation and Type IV allergy. [Appendix B]

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