Date of Award
1-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
First Advisor
Courtney Roper
Second Advisor
John Rimoldi
Third Advisor
Kristine Willett
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Approximately 30 million people in the U.S. use firearms for recreation or occupation annually. The discharge of firearms releases a complex chemical mixture into the breathing zone of the individual. Historically the primary concern of this exposure was the inhalation of lead (Pb), however gunshot residue (GSR) is composed of inorganic and organic components that are understudied in regards to airborne concentrations and health relevance. In addition to chemical composition, GSR released into the air is composed of various size particles from unburnt propellent and projectile fractionation. A size fraction of major health concern is particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) due to its potential to penetrate deep into the lungs and the bloodstream. With associations between ambient PM2.5 exposure and cardiorespiratory diseases, it is crucial to investigate GSR PM2.5 to understand potential health implications of exposures. The specific pathway of interest for this research is the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) due to its role in inflammation and development of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This research uses both male wild-type (C57BL/6) and RAGE knockout (RKO) mice to compare physiological and biochemical responses to PM2.5 exposure. This dissertation work aims to 1) assess GSR PM2.5 exposure during outdoor trainings 2) investigate acute GSR exposure from a pistol qualification, and 3) investigate the sub chronic exposure to standard reference material (SRM) of PM2.5 in preparation for future studies to investigate GSR PM2.5 to long-term repeat exposures. This dissertation was able to provide chemical characterization for outdoor firearm trainings, acute cardiorespiratory effects of GSR PM2.5 exposure, and established baseline cardiorespiratory measurements using urban SRM for comparison of future studies looking at a sub-chronic exposure to GSR PM2.5. The influence of the RAGE signaling in inflammation and oxidative stress is observed in both the acute GSR and sub-chronic urban SRM exposure. Overall, this work contributes knowledge about human GSR PM2.5 exposure concentrations in real-life exposure scenarios and elucidate the role of RAGE on the induction of cardiopulmonary effects as a result of acute GSR PM2.5 and long-term repeat urban PM2.5 exposures.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Samuel Cole, "Chemical Composition and Cardiorespiratory Health Effects of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) from Ambient Sources and Gunshot Residue: Investigating the Role of RAGE-Driven Inflammation and Oxidative Stress" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3392.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3392