Our team at the Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT) Program at UT Health San Antonio wanted to share this important external article:
“Ultrafine particle exposure heightens risk for respiratory mortality” from Healio.
Individuals faced a high risk for respiratory mortality 5 to 7 days after being exposed to ultrafine particle pollution, according to results published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
“The study highlights that longer time series with more monitors per city of high-quality [ultrafine particle] measurements are needed to overcome the inconsistency in the available evidence,” Schwarz and colleagues wrote. “It also highlights that multiple measurements with a classification of particle size fractions, chemical composition and emission source are needed to further substantiate the impact of [ultrafine particles] as called for by the good practice statements for [ultrafine particles] published by the WHO in 2021. In general, focusing our policies on eliminating combustion might be the most health-protective air pollution mitigation approach.”
This issue is important for people who suffer from chemical intolerance (CI), said Dr. Claudia Miller, allergist/immunologist, professor emeritus, and leader of the Hoffman TILT Program at UT Health San Antonio.
How can you find out if you are chemically intolerant?
Answer these three questions from Hoffman TILT’s Brief Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (BREESI):
- Do you feel sick when you are exposed to tobacco smoke, certain fragrances, nail polish/remover, engine exhaust, gasoline, air fresheners, pesticides, paint/thinner, fresh tar/asphalt, cleaning supplies, new carpet or furnishings? By sick, we mean: headache, difficulty thinking, difficulty breathing, weakness, dizziness, upset stomach, etc.
- Are you unable to tolerate or do you have adverse or allergic reactions to any drugs or medications (such as antibiotics, anesthetics, pain relievers, X-ray contrast dye, vaccines or birth control pills), or to an implant, prosthesis, contraceptive chemical or device, or other medical/surgical/dental material or procedure?
- Are you unable to tolerate or do you have adverse reactions to any foods such as dairy products, wheat, corn, eggs, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, or food additives (e.g., MSG, food dye)?
If you answer YES to any question, take the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) and share the results with your doctor!