Plasma IL-2, NK, IFN-γ, and C3 in male workers exposed to traffic pollutants

The aim of the study is to evaluate if the occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in interleukin-2 (IL-2), NK, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and C3 plasma levels in male traffic police officers compared to controls. After excluding the principal confounding factors, 108 traffic police officers were matched with 108 controls by age, working life, habitual consumption of alcohol and spirits. IL-2 mean levels were significantly higher in traffic police officers compared to controls (p = 0.04). The distribution of IL-2 values in traffic police officers and in controls was significant (p = 0.01). The distribution of NK value percentage in traffic police officers and in controls was significant (p = 0.000). IFN-γ and C3 mean levels were not significant in traffic police officers compared to controls. Our results suggest that the occupational chronic exposure to low doses of urban stressors could affect NK and IL-2 plasma concentrations in traffic police officers of male sex.