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Long-term exposure to low air pollution increases the risk of heart and lung damage in the elderly & nbsp | & nbspPhoto credit: & nbspiStock Images
New Delhi: Air pollution is one of the most recent health threats that has been discovered. As pollution levels increase around the world, in some places more than others, researchers are discovering the different ways air pollution can cause short and long-term health damage. A new study now suggests that prolonged exposure to even low levels of air pollution can lead to serious health problems, including damage to the heart and lungs.
Researchers looked at the medical records of over 63 million patients, from 2000 to 2016. Long-term exposure to even low levels of air pollution was found to lead to an increased risk of pneumonia, heart attack, stroke and irregularity. heart beat called atrial fibrillation.
The threat was found to be higher for older people, according to the study published in the journal Circulation.
The researchers also looked at air pollutants – fine particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Each unit of increase in the levels of these pollutants was associated with thousands of hospitalizations per year, according to the study.
Higher risks of heart attack, stroke, a-fib and flutter, as well as pneumonia have been associated with long-term exposure to the particles.
Likewise, long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide was associated with an increased risk of stroke and a-fib.
The results of the study underline the need to consider air pollution as a major risk factor for heart and lung disease.
“People should be aware of the air quality in the area where they live to avoid harmful exposure over long periods of time, if possible,” said lead author Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi, postdoctoral researcher at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
“Since our study found harmful effects at levels below current US standards, air pollution should be considered a risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory disease by clinicians, and policymakers should reconsider them. current standards for air pollutants, ”she added in a press release.
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