179068 Two-year observation of effects of SO2 on respiratory system in adult Miyakejima citizens after returning to the island

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Satoko Iwasawa, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
Makiko Nakano, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
Yuji Nishiwaki, MD MSc DMSc , Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
Takehiro Michikawa, MD , Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
Shigeru Tanaka , Department of public Health, Jumonji University, Saitama, Japan
Kouichi Maruyama, MD, DMSc , Bureau of SocialWelfare and Public Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo, Japan
Shoji Kudo, MD, DMSc , Department of Pulmonary Medicine/Infection and Oncology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
Iwao Uchiyama, MD, DMSc , Urban and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Kazuyuki Omae, MD, DMSc , Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
Objectives: Following the volcanic eruption in 2000, SO2 is still being emitted on Miyakejima Island, Japan, despite the 2004 reversal of the ban on residence there. This study examines the association between volcanic SO2 levels and two-year changes in respiratory function and symptoms in Miyakejima.

Methods: The study population comprised 673 adults (268 male, 405 female) who each underwent two health examinations for respiratory health just before returning the island (2004) and two years after return (2006). Exposure was approximated by monitoring data across 14 sites. According to a recent 3-month average of the 5-minute mean SO2 concentration, we categorized the four inhabited areas into one low-, 2 middle- and one high-concentration areas. Effects were evaluated by a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms and spirometry. We defined chronic obstructive lung disorders as having cough and phlegm on most days for at least three months in each year.

Results: Arithmetic means (range) of the 5-minute average SO2 concentration (ppm) in the past 3 months were 0.02 (0-1.58) for low-, 0.04 (0-5.40) and 0.03 (0-7.11) for middle-, and 0.08 (0-5.09) for high-concentration areas. Study subjects showed no reduction in lung function by area. However, the prevalences of "sore throat", "eye irritation" and "nasal irritations" were significantly higher in the high- and one of the two middle-SO2 areas compared to the low-SO2 area. The prevalence of chronic obstructive lung disorders marginally increased only in the high-SO2 area (p=0.07).

Conclusion: SO2 exposure-dependent respiratory symptoms were observed in adult Miyakejima citizens after returning to the island.

Learning Objectives:
1.The study population comprised 673 adults (268 male, 405 female) who each underwent two health examinations for respiratory health just before returning the island (2004) and two years after return (2006). Effects were evaluated by a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms and spirometry. 2.This study examines the association between volcanic SO2 levels and two-year changes in respiratory function and symptoms in Miyakejima. 3.SO2 exposure-dependent respiratory symptoms were observed in adult Miyakejima citizens after returning to the island.A follow-up study is needed.

Keywords: Air Pollutants, Community Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am one of the main researchers.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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