New Study Finds Traffic-Related Air Pollution Causes a Spike in Blood Pressure
A recent study asserts that breathing traffic-related air pollution can result in potentially dangerous blood pressure increases, even among people who are not drivers. This surprising finding highlights the impact air pollution can have on human health, increasing the perception around the potential risks individuals face while living near highways or in close proximity to other industrial and transportation facilities.
The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that exposure to traffic-related air pollution caused a significant spike in blood pressure. Participants who were subjects of the study experienced an increase of 4.5 mm Hg in blood pressure after being exposed to unfiltered traffic-related air pollution. This alarming increase was significant and comparable to the effects associated with factors such as lack of physical exercise, poor diet, or smoking.
Experts are now advocating for the use of cabin air filters in vehicles and recommend using N95 masks for protection. They suggest that these filtration devices can significantly reduce exposure to dangerous air pollution particles, such as PM 2.5, black carbon, and oxides of nitrogen.
In the study, a group of subjects was driven through traffic in Seattle, Washington, for three days. The two cars they were passengers in each had different air filtration systems: one allowed unfiltered air to flow into the vehicle while the other had a HEPA filter. Researchers noticed a noteworthy increase in blood pressure when subjects were exposed to unfiltered traffic-related air pollution, emphasizing the severity of the issue.
The findings from this study have serious implications for addressing the impact of air pollution on cardiovascular health. As a result, there is a growing need to consider new approaches to mitigating the risks associated with traffic-related air pollution, including implementing measures such as in-vehicle air filtration systems and public health interventions to reduce pollution levels. With this prevailing risk, and it is becoming increasingly important to take precautions to minimize exposure and optimize health and well-being.
