Airborne particles have been linked to pulmonary oxidative stress and inflammation. Because these effects may be particularly great for traffic-related particles, we examined associations between particle exposures and exhaled nitric oxide in a study of 44 senior citizens, which involved repeated trips aboard a diesel bus. Fine particle exposures resulted in increased levels of nitric oxide in elderly adults, suggestive of increased airway inflammation. These associations were best assessed by microenvironmental exposure measurements during periods of high personal particle exposures.

URL: http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9386/9386.pdf