1. Abstract The lungs are part of a human’s pulmonary system, in which respiration occurs. The lungs are made up of alveoli (tiny air sacs in which carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange occurs). Also, in the lungs, there are thousands of cilia. These cilia help sweep out dirt and mucous. Smoking is known to cause damage to the lungs. Since cigarettes contain tar, when smoked, the tar binds to the cilia of the airway, killing the cilia and prevents the removal of dust, dirt and mucous. Tar, dust, dirt, and mucous build up in the lungs, bronchioles, bronchi, and trachea making respiration harder. In order to test the effectiveness of the lungs, a few tests can be used, using spirometery, to assess lung function. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), the amount of change from full inspiration to maximal expiration is one of the major tests used. The FVC test tells the maximum amount of air that can be withheld in the lungs. The next test is the FEV1e test. This test is used to show how much air can be forced out of the lungs in a single second. At the point of maximum inspiration, air is forced out of the lungs and the amount of air forced out of the lungs in a second is the FEV1. The final test used is the Maximum Ventilatory Volume (MVV) test. This test measures the total amount of air exchanged in the lungs in ten seconds. Air is breathed in and out as fast as possible for ten seconds to record the amount of air passed in and out of the lungs. These tests can be compared to smoking habits to show if there is a correlation between smoking, the length of time a person has smoked, and airway resistance. Conclusion Through spirometry testing, it was concluded that smoking lowers the FEV/FVC ratio. This means that airway resistance greatly increases in relation to the amount and length of time an individual smokes. As an individual smokes more and more for greater lengths of time, airway resistance grows and respiratory effort becomes compromised. Introduction Smoking is one of the most renowned causes of disease or damage to the lungs. The lungs are the most vital part of the human respiratory system and contain millions of cilia and alveoli. Smoking paralyzes and kills cilia of the pulmonary tract, and causes tar to build up in the alveoli of the lungs. Once these vital parts of the respiratory tract are compromised, tar and particulate matter builds up in the lungs and causes resistance. The objective of this experiment was to determine exactly how the lungs were compromised by the length of exposure of cigarette smoke. In order to determine the effects of smoking on the lungs and resistance in the airway, spirometery testing was performed on a group of smokers and a group of control subjects. All subjects were separated into groups based on their smoking habits determined by a simple questionnaire and FVC, FEV 1, and MVV testing was measured on each subject. This research shows that there is a slight correlation between the length of time that an individual smokes and the resistance acquired by smoking. Methods 1. Gather a large group of people interested in participating in the research. 2. Have each individual read the consent form and sign. If any questions arise, answer all questions. Provide each test subject with a copy of the consent form. 3. Provide each test subject with a questionnaire to fill out. Once each subject has completed the questionnaire, measure each subjects height in cm. and weight in kg. Note each measurement on the test subject’s questionnaire. (Purpose of the questionnaire is to find similarities in smoking habits between the populations as to break them into groups, and to compare spirometery testing to.) 4. Review each questionnaire. Exclude all subjects having answered yes to having asthma or being diagnosed with a respiratory disorder within 4 months preceding the testing. With the remaining questionnaires, separate each person into groups, taking into account their smoking habits. 5. Once each subject has been placed into a group, call back the test subjects individually for spirometery testing. 6. Set up the spirometer · Turn the computer on · Ensure the BIOPAC MP35/MP30 unit is turned off · Plug in the airflow transducer (SS11LA) into channel 1 on the unit · Turn the MP35/MP30 unit on · Place a filter onto the end of the calibration syringe · Insert the calibration syringe into the airflow transducer on the side labeled “Inlet” · Start Biopac program by choosing Lesson 13 (L13-LUNG-2) · Pull the calibration syringe plunger all the way out and hold the syringe upright · Click calibrate · Cycle the plunger 5 times in and out (10 strokes) · Click end Calibration · If needed, redo calibration 7. Once the spirometer is calibrated, have the test subject place a nose clamp on his or her nose. 8. Perform the FVC test · Have the subject breathe normally for a few cycles · Have the subject inspire as much as possible · Have the subject expire as much air as possible, as fast as possible, forcing all air out of the lungs 9. Interpret the results to find the FVC and notate results 10. From the results of the FVC test, find the amount of air expired in 1 second by using the I-beam. Select from the start point of expiration and measure 1 second. Notate the results for the FEV 1 11. With the nose clamp still attached, perform the MVV testing. · Have the subject breathe normally for a few cycles · Have the subject breathe as fast as possible, moving as much air in and out of the lungs, for 10 seconds · IF DIZZYNESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, OR ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS ENCUR, STOP TESTING IMMEDIATELY · Have the subject resume normal respiration for a few cycles 12. Interpret and record the MVV results for each subject. 13. Release the test subjects Results Control Group’s FEV/FVC ratio (airway resistance) rates above 90% meaning that 90% of inhaled air can be exhaled within 1 second of expiration Group 1’s FEV/FVC ratio (airway resistance) rates slightly lower than the control groups (around mid to high 80%). This means about 85-90% of inhaled air can be exhaled within 1 second of expiration in this group Group 2’s FEV/FVC ratio (airway resistance) rates slightly lower than group 1’s and significantly lower than that of the control groups (around lower to mid 80%). This means that around 80-85% of inhaled air can be exhaled within 1 second of expiration in this group References Ginzel, K.H. "Have you ever wondered what’s in a cigarette." What’s in a cigarette. 2009. Web. 9 Nov 2009.. Maier, Karyn. "How Does Smoking Affect the Cilia." How Does Smoking Affect the Cilia. 23 October 2009. Conjecture Corporation, Web. 30 Nov 2009.. "News from Medicine." Lung Testing and Underwriting. 2002. Risk tutor online newspaper library, Web. 12 Nov 2009.. "The Alveoli." The Alveoli. 2007. Advanced Medical Assistant Custom Web Design, LLC, Web. 1 November 2009.. "Whats in a Cigarette." Tobacco Fact Sheet 1-2. Web. 12 Nov 2009. Acknowledgements A special thanks to: Waynesburg University Biology Department Waynesburg University Center for Economic Research and Development Staff Mrs. Dara Puskarich Waynesburg University Campus Security Figure 3: Example graph output of spirometry testing. FEV 1 measured from greatest peak to lowest peak in 1 second. FVC measured from top of greatest peak to bottom of lowest peak. MVV measured by each individual peak for ten seconds. Figures 1 & 2: A student participant engaging in spirometry testing. The spirometer must be held level and a clamp placed on the nose to ensure that all inhaled and exhaled air goes into and out of the spirometer. Figure 4: Control group. Age of participants vs. the percentage of FEV/FVC (airway resistance). Figure 5: Occasional Smoker Group: Age of participants vs. the percentage of FEV/FVC (airway resistance). Figure 6: Moderate Smoker Group: Age of participants vs. the percentage of FEV/FVC (airway resistance).