LATEX ALLERGEN IN RESPIRABLE PARTICULATE AIR-POLLUTION

Objective: Urban air samples contain numerous irregular respirable bla ck particles which may be airborne tire fragments. A major component o f tires is natural latex. Proteins of natural latex can act as adjuvan ts and as antigens capable of eliciting immediate hypersensitivity mak ing their presence in particulate air pollution an important clinical issue. Methods: Particulate air pollutants were collected by volumetri c sampling devices and characterized by optical microscopy, chemical s olubility tests, and mass spectrometry. Extracts of rubber tire fragme nts were tested for elutable latex antigens by antibody inhibition ass ays. Results: Identification of latex in air samples and milled materi al from automobile tires was supported by mass spectrometry results an d was further confirmed by physical appearance and chemical solubility studies. Competitive immunoassay confirmed the presence of extractabl e latex antigens from rubber tire fragments. Conclusions: Latex antige ns are extractable from rubber tire fragments, which are abundant in u rban air samples. Given the adjuvant and sensitizing effects of latex these airborne particles could contribute, through direct and indirect mechanisms, to the increase in both latex sensitization and asthma. T he impact of these particles should be considered in the issue of morb idity and mortality rates associated with respiratory diseases and air pollution.