Effect of particles of ashes produced from sugarcane burning on the respiratory system of rats

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 135; pp. 304 - 310
• Main Authors: Ferreira, L.E.N., Muniz, B.V., Bittar, T.O., Berto, L.A., Figueroba, S.R., Groppo, F.C., Pereira, A.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.11.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - toxicity; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Chemical composition; Chromatography, Gas; Combustion; Concentration (composition); Cytokines release and lung inflammation; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Gas, fumes; Histological Techniques; Interferon-gamma - metabolism; Interleukin-1 - metabolism; Interleukin-6 - metabolism; Lung - drug effects; Lung - metabolism; Lungs; Medical sciences; Particulate emissions; Particulate matter; Particulate Matter - analysis; Particulate Matter - toxicity; Phenols - analysis; Phenols - toxicity; Phthalic Acids - analysis; Phthalic Acids - toxicity; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reduction; Residues; Respiratory system; Respiratory System - drug effects; Saccharum - chemistry; Sugarcane residues; Toxicology; Trachea - drug effects; Trachea morfology alterations; South America; Brazil; America; Sugarcane residues; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Particulate matter; Trachea morfology alterations; Cytokines release and lung inflammation; Rat; Toxicity; Lung; Combustion product; Respiratory tract; Ash; Fumes; Trachea; Public health; Hydrocarbon; Respiratory disease; Rodentia; Cytokine; Cane sugar; Inflammation; Burning; Suspended particle; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Residue; Animal
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.07.030

The practice of burning sugarcane obtained by non-mechanized harvesting exposes workers and the people of neighboring towns to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) that is harmful to health, and may trigger a series of cardiorespiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of the micro-particles coming from sugarcane burning residues and to verify the effects of this micro-particulate matter on lung and tracheal tissues. Micro-particulate matter (PM10) was obtained by dissolving filter paper containing burnt residues in NaCl solution. This material was instilled into the Wistar rats׳ nostrils. Histological analyses (hematoxylin and eosin – HE) of cardiac, lung and tracheal tissues were performed. Inflammatory mediators were measured in lung tissues by using ELISA. The chemical composition of the particulate material revealed a large quantity of the phthalic acid ester, high concentrations of phenolic compounds, anthracene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Histological analysis showed a reduction in subjacent conjunctive tissue in the trachea, lung inflammation with inflammatory infiltrate formation and reduction of alveolar spaces and a significant increase (p<0.05) in the release of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and INF-γ in the group treated with PM10 when compared to the control group. We concluded that the burning sugarcane residues release many particles, which have toxic chemical compounds. The micro-particulate matter can induce alterations in the respiratory system. •Sugarcane residues combustion showed a predominance of phenolic compounds.•Phthalic acid ester and phenol were compounds with highest relative percentage.•Instillation of PM10 decreased the thickness of the tracheal connective tissue.•Instillation of PM10 induced morphophysiologic alterations in the lungs.•Instillation of PM10 increased the release of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-γ in the lungs.