Air pollutants (either of natural or anthropogenic origin) represent a considerable environmental risk to human health by affecting the respiratory system and causing respiratory disorders. In this study, we investigate the effects of chronic exposure to hydrothermal emissions on the nasal cavity of mice since it is the first and the most exposed region of the respiratory system. This study, carried in S. Miguel Island, Azores—Portugal, used Mus musculus as a bioindicator species. Mice were captured in an area with non-eruptive active volcanism (Furnas Village) and another area without volcanism (Rabo de Peixe, reference site). The hydrothermal emissions present at Furnas Village are characterized by the continuous release of several gases (CO₂, H₂S, ²²²Rn) along with metals (e.g. Hg, Cd, Zn, Al) and particulate matter into the environment. We test the hypothesis whether chronic exposure to this specific type of pollution causes epithelial morphometric, mucosecretory and neuronal alterations on the nasal cavity. Thickness measurements were taken in the squamous, respiratory and olfactory epithelia. The relative density of cell types (basal, support and neurons) was also assessed in the olfactory epithelium and the mucosecretory activity was determined in the lateral nasal glands, Bowman’s gland and goblet cells. Mice chronically exposed to hydrothermal emissions presented thinner olfactory epithelia and lesser mucous production, which could result in loss of olfactory capabilities as well as a decrease in the protective function provided by the mucous to the lower respiratory tract. For the first time, it is demonstrated that, in mice, this specific type of non-eruptive active volcanism causes epithelial and mucosecretory alterations, leading to the loss of olfactory capabilities.

空气污染物（自然或人为来源）通过影响呼吸系统和引起呼吸系统疾病，对人类健康构成相当大的环境风险。在这项研究中，我们研究了长期暴露于热液排放对小鼠鼻腔的影响，因为它是呼吸系统的第一个也是暴露最多的区域。这项研究在葡萄牙亚速尔群岛的 S. Miguel 岛进行，使用Mus musculus作为生物指示物种。在一个没有喷发的活跃火山活动的地区（Furnas Village）和另一个没有火山活动的地区（Rabo de Peixe，参考地点）捕获了老鼠。Furnas 村的热液排放的特点是持续释放多种气体（CO ₂、H ₂ S、²²²Rn) 连同金属（例如 Hg、Cd、Zn、Al）和颗粒物进入环境。我们检验了长期暴露于这种特定类型的污染是否会导致鼻腔上皮形态、黏液分泌和神经元改变的假设。在鳞状、呼吸和嗅觉上皮中进行厚度测量。还在嗅上皮中评估了细胞类型（基底细胞、支持细胞和神经元）的相对密度，并在侧鼻腺、鲍曼腺和杯状细胞中测定了粘液分泌活性。长期暴露于热液排放的小鼠表现出较薄的嗅觉上皮细胞和较少的粘液产生，这可能导致嗅觉能力丧失以及粘液对下呼吸道提供的保护功能降低。