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| IJCEM Copyright © 2008-All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711 |
Int J Clin Exp Med 1(2),130-144;2008
Original Article
Sediment from Hurricane Katrina: Potential to Produce Pulmonary Dysfunction in
Mice
Kai Wang, Dahui You, Shrilatha Balakrishna, Michael Ripple, Terry Ahlert, Baher Fahmy, David Becnel, Melissa Daly, Wilma Subra,
James S. McElduff, Larry G. Lomax, Dana Troxclair and Stephania A. Cormier
Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA 70112; Subra Company, New Iberia, LA 70562;
Altamont Environmental, Inc., Asheville, NC 28801; Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary
Pathology, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Experimental
Therapeutics, 1901 Perdido Street, MEB, P7-1, New Orleans, LA 70112; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Pathology, 1901 Perdido Street, MEB, P7-1, New Orleans, LA 70112.
Received December 26, 2007; accepted February 16, 2008; available online February 28, 2008
Abstract: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane. The associated storm
surge and heavy rainfall resulted in major flooding throughout the New Orleans area. As the flood waters receded, thick sediment was
left covering the ground and coating the interior of homes. This sediment was dispersed into the air and inhaled as dust by returning
residents and workers. Our objective in this study was to evaluate the potential pulmonary effects associated with the respirable
particulate matter (PM) derived from Hurricane Katrina (HK-PM) in mice. Samples of PM were collected from several locations along
the Gulf Coast on September 30 and October 2, 2005 and had a mean aerodynamic diameter ranging from 3-5 µm). Chemical
analysis and cytotoxicity assays were performed for all HK-PM samples. A few samples with varying levels of cytotoxicity were chosen
for an acute inhalation exposure study. Airborne PM10 levels recorded in the New Orleans area post-Katrina were variable, ranging
from 70 µg/m3 in Gentilly to 688 µg/m3 in Lakeview (residential areas). Mice exposed to one of these samples developed significant
pulmonary inflammation and airways resistance and hyperresponsiveness to methacholine challenge. These studies demonstrate
that dispersion of certain Katrina sediment samples through either natural (e.g., wind) or mechanical (e.g., vehicles) processes
promotes airflow obstruction in mice. (IJCEM712004).
Key Words: Hurricane Katrina, pulmonary dysfunction, respiratory toxicology
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to: Stephania A. Cormier, PhD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of
Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics 1901 Perdido Street, MEB, P7-1, New Orleans, LA 70112, Office: 01 (504) 568-2810, Fax:
01 (504) 568-2361, Email: scorm1@lsuhsc.edu
Original Article
Sediment from Hurricane Katrina: Potential to Produce Pulmonary Dysfunction in
Mice
Kai Wang, Dahui You, Shrilatha Balakrishna, Michael Ripple, Terry Ahlert, Baher Fahmy, David Becnel, Melissa Daly, Wilma Subra,
James S. McElduff, Larry G. Lomax, Dana Troxclair and Stephania A. Cormier
Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA 70112; Subra Company, New Iberia, LA 70562;
Altamont Environmental, Inc., Asheville, NC 28801; Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary
Pathology, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Experimental
Therapeutics, 1901 Perdido Street, MEB, P7-1, New Orleans, LA 70112; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Pathology, 1901 Perdido Street, MEB, P7-1, New Orleans, LA 70112.
Received December 26, 2007; accepted February 16, 2008; available online February 28, 2008
Abstract: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane. The associated storm
surge and heavy rainfall resulted in major flooding throughout the New Orleans area. As the flood waters receded, thick sediment was
left covering the ground and coating the interior of homes. This sediment was dispersed into the air and inhaled as dust by returning
residents and workers. Our objective in this study was to evaluate the potential pulmonary effects associated with the respirable
particulate matter (PM) derived from Hurricane Katrina (HK-PM) in mice. Samples of PM were collected from several locations along
the Gulf Coast on September 30 and October 2, 2005 and had a mean aerodynamic diameter ranging from 3-5 µm). Chemical
analysis and cytotoxicity assays were performed for all HK-PM samples. A few samples with varying levels of cytotoxicity were chosen
for an acute inhalation exposure study. Airborne PM10 levels recorded in the New Orleans area post-Katrina were variable, ranging
from 70 µg/m3 in Gentilly to 688 µg/m3 in Lakeview (residential areas). Mice exposed to one of these samples developed significant
pulmonary inflammation and airways resistance and hyperresponsiveness to methacholine challenge. These studies demonstrate
that dispersion of certain Katrina sediment samples through either natural (e.g., wind) or mechanical (e.g., vehicles) processes
promotes airflow obstruction in mice. (IJCEM712004).
Key Words: Hurricane Katrina, pulmonary dysfunction, respiratory toxicology
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to: Stephania A. Cormier, PhD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of
Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics 1901 Perdido Street, MEB, P7-1, New Orleans, LA 70112, Office: 01 (504) 568-2810, Fax:
01 (504) 568-2361, Email: scorm1@lsuhsc.edu
