The Health Effects of Air Pollution
on High Blood Pressure
For those of us who live in cities with high air pollution, or work around diesel fuelled engines, this study should capture our attention. In Håkan Törnqvist discussion at Umeå University on June 5 about diesel exhaust and it`s connection with negative health effects of air pollution on the cardiovascular system, and note: above all in traffic environments, he mentions something of interest in the results of a controlled environment test where healthy subjects were exposed to about 300 µg/m3 of diesel exhaust and filtered air for 1 hour.
Included in his results were findings that should make us sit up and take notice. Exposures to diesel exhaust could be contributing to our high blood pressure because the tests revealed, among other factors, the decrease of blood-vessel functions; the dilating and contracting of blood vessels and the body`s natural ability to dissolve blood clots. Further study in this particular area found that even 24 hours after exposure, the blood vessel`s capacity to expand was affected and signs of systemic inflammation was present shown through an increase in inflammatory markers in the blood.
This dissertation was to clarify previously unknown mechanisms that showed how repeated exposure to polluted air can cause heart attacks, stroke and increased mortality, but it served also to show how living in polluted cities or exposure to diesel exhaust in other areas can have an effect on our blood vessels` ability to dilate and contract and that inflammation is present, main factors causing blood pressure.
In Sao Paulo, Brazil, researchers carried out a test on 46 male traffic controllers with an average age of 39.2 years. The results showed a significant change in systolic blood pressure, measuring an increase of 6.0 HHmg, and diastolic blood pressure increased by 3.4 HHmg, and 3.7 HHmg with 24 hour monitoring. The results were taken after consideration of the men`s body mass index, age, temperature and humidity. These figures are high and there is so much more evidence pointing to air pollution as a big contributor to blood pressure increases. That`s why there was so much fuss about Beijing air quality being reduced in time for the Olympic games. The solution for us all? Move to the country side if you can! Seriously! Only a reduction of air pollutants will be the answer. We may not have much control over where we live, but we can have a measure of control over the air we breath at least in our homes. Try and filter your air if possible and keep windows and doors closed during the rush hours. Gem
Just as air pollution can contribute to high blood pressure, so can other pollutants...
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