Effects of Dust Pollution in Asaluyeh on Atomic Absorption of Heavy Metals and Histopathologic Changes in Spleen and Bone Marrow of Male Rats

Introduction Air pollution is one of the greatest threats to human health worldwide, which causes health problems in the long and short run (1). The severity of these problems varies in different groups. For example, the elderly and children suffer more from air pollution (2). Today, nanoparticle pollutants are regarded as a new hazardous issue (3). The harmful effects of dust pollution are mainly associated with the concentration of particles <100 nm, not depending on the mass concentration of larger particles. The probable risks from airborne nanoparticles, i.e. aerosols, are even more serious. This is because of their intense motional activities and a greater chance of being absorbed by the lungs, as the easiest route to enter the body (4). All types of dust can bring about undesirable effects on the cardiovascular system through their different biological mechanisms. The airborne dust particles (ADPs) in the polluted air may cause coagulation disorders, increased risk of thrombosis, endothelial vascular disorders, and arterial contraction through releasing inflammatory substances in the lungs (5,6). On the other hand, increased heart rate and hypertension, as well as reduced natural heart rate provide the context for coronary artery stenosis, heart attack, and heart arrhythmias (7,8). Those who are chronically exposed to air pollution for a long time are more prone to coronary artery stenosis, due to the persistent inflammatory role of ADPs (9). The microscopic airborne particles affect the cardiovascular system and narrow carotids, which may finally result in heart diseases or early death in polluted regions. It has been proved that some pollutants have inflammatory impacts on the artery walls (10). Organic compounds and ADPs have hazardous impacts on humans, animals, plants and ecosystems. Accordingly, the highly polluted air causes serious problems for humans, such as burning eye, nose, and throat, respiratory problems, chest pains, and increased risk of heart attack (11). In many cases, this problem causes cancer, damages immune, neural, and reproduction systems, and even leads to death. Although air pollution evolves in a process from emission from the pollution source, transfer, deformation, and finally elimination from the atmosphere, these changes still affect humans, ecosystems and so on. Since a process for complete elimination of pollution and its effects on ecosystems and Abstract Objectives: The effects of air pollution from industrial advances and mechanization on people, specifically children whose immune and respiratory systems are not fully developed, have attracted growing attention from researchers. Given that the oil and gas facilities in Asaluyeh have turned it into one of the most polluted regions in the world, this study aimed at investigating the effect of airborne dust particles (ADPs) on the atomic absorption of heavy metals and histopathologic changes in spleen and bone marrow of male rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 adult male rats were assigned to the control, negative control, and treatment groups. After the course of treatment, the changes in spleen and bone marrow tissue, as well as atomic absorption of metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic) in their serums were examined. Results: The atomic absorption of metals in the serum of the treatment group significantly increased as compared to the control group; in addition, the significant histopathologic changes were observed only in the spleen tissues. Conclusions: Dust of polluted air of Asaluyeh had relative toxic effects on spleen tissue and serum but did not have toxic effects on bone marrow.