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In the present work, a sequential injection system with spectrophotometric detection was developed for the determination of free and total sulphur dioxide in wines. It was based on the formation of a coloured product from the reaction among SO2, formaldehyde and pararosaniline. A gas diffusion unit (GDU) was incorporated into the manifold to prevent the wine matrix interference in the spectroph...

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether repeated peak exposure (gassings) to sulphur dioxide (SO2) and other irritant gases increases the risk of new-onset asthma. A questionnaire was sent to 4,112 sulphite workers, of whom 1,919 completed the questionnaire and 396 completed the short-form questionnaire, which was sent out as a last reminder. A sample of 130 nonrespondents compl...

BACKGROUND In some parts of the northwest Russia, Murmansk region, high exposures to heavy mining and refining industrial air pollution, especially sulphur dioxide, have been documented. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to evaluate whether living in the mining area would be an independent risk factor of the respiratory symptoms. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey of 200 Murmansk region adult citizens was...

Recently, we reported on the development of low-cost ultraviolet (UV) cameras, based on the modification of sensors designed for the smartphone market. These units are built around modified Raspberry Pi cameras (PiCams; ≈USD 25), and usable system sensitivity was demonstrated in the UVA and UVB spectral regions, of relevance to a number of application areas. Here, we report on the first deploym...

The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the effects of smoking and occupational exposures on the decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and the presence of airflow limitation (FEV1 x100/forced vital capacity (FVC) being < 65) at follow-up. A random sample of 1,933 men aged 22-54 years in Bergen, Norway, were invited into the survey. Smoking habits and measurements of FEV1 ...

Biomass plays an important role as an energy source, being an interesting alternative to fossil fuels due to its environment-friendly and sustainable characteristics. However, due to the exposure of customers to emissions during biomass heating, evolved pollutants should be taken into account and controlled. Changing raw materials or mixing them with another less pollutant biomass could be a su...

OBJECTIVE The effect of azelastine on airway mucociliary transport function was studied by measuring ciliary motility of human bronchial epithelium in vitro with a photoelectric method. METHOD Bronchial epithelial cells were obtained by fibreoptic bronchoscopy, mounted in a Rose chamber, and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution. The preparations were placed on a microscope stage equipped wi...

OBJECTIVES Ambient exposure to sulphur dioxide (SO2) has been previously associated with emergency department (ED) visits for migraine headaches. In the present study, the objective was to examine the relationship between ED visits for migraine and ambient sulphur dioxide concentrations. DESIGN AND METHODS This was a time-series study of 1059 ED visits for migraine (ICD-9: 346) recorded at a ...

A mortality study, concentrating on cardiovascular mortality, was undertaken among Finnish sulphite mill workers exposed to sulphur dioxide and sulphate mill workers exposed to hydrogen sulphide and organic sulphides. They had been employed continuously for at least one year between 1945 and 1961. National death rates were used for comparison and mortality was followed up until 31 December 1981...