Chapter 33: Breath Biomarkers in Human Xenobiotic Exposure Studies
Air pollutant exposure induces effects in humans ranging from premature mortality to increased morbidity, primarily cardiopulmonary effects. Examination of both exhaled breath gas and aerosol phases has been used to determine surrogate markers of these biological responses. Two approaches to studying effects of air pollutants as well as other xenobiotics is the use of controlled exposures where either the pollutant concentration is kept relatively constant or controlled field studies where other factors are kept relatively constant, i.e., exercise level, diet, etc. This chapter reviews the seminal reports that utilized breath analyses to discern potential effects of air pollutant exposures, provides highlights of recent reports using breath biomarkers in air pollution research studies, and also examines recent findings of other pollutants inhaled via lifestyle choices such as swimming and vaping.