Abstract:
The goal of this study was to examine the respiratory effects of Florida red tide (Gymnodinium breve or G.Breve) in three different sample groups. The respiratory effects of G. Breve on the upper airway have been well reported -tickling in the back of the throat, cough, and nasal congestion are common symptoms. However, the effects of the lower airway have not been established, although anecdotally, reports of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and/or inability to take a deep breath have been reported. In Year 1 of this study, three sample groups were identified and spirometry was initiated on two of the groups. In Year Two, spirometry was continued on the group that continued to have exposure to G. Breve. Specifically, this study hopes to measure if there are any changes in the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the forced vital capacity measured in one second (FeVl), the standard measurements to assess bronchoconstriction of the smooth muscle in the airways.
