It is widely understood that long-term or high-concentration exposure to air pollution is harmful to human health. However, new research shows that there may not be a safe level of exposure. A new study examined the onset of ischemic stroke in certain risk groups and found that even immediate exposure to low levels of air pollution could be a significant risk factor, Healio. rEPORTS.

what’s going on

The study used data from 2011 to 2020 from eastern Poland. It examined hospitalizations for ischemic stroke and used residential zip codes to determine whether patients were exposed to fine particulate matter pollution, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone (O3), benzo(alpha)pyrene, and carbon monoxide. carbon on the day of the stroke.

Like Healio explicitlythe study found that the risk of stroke was increased in people who were exposed to different types of pollution that day – up to 2.4% higher for fine particle pollution. The risk was most notable in women under 65 and in people who lived in areas where smoking was more prevalent.

The risk also accelerated rapidly at low pollution levels and leveled off at higher concentrations, meaning that even a small amount of air pollution had a large impact.

“Such exposure-response curves in environmental studies are essential for evaluating the benefits of air pollution reduction policies, suggesting that there is no ‘safe’ level of air pollution,” wrote Michał Święczkowski, MD, of the University Medical Center in Bialystok, Poland. , and colleagues, per Healio.

Why is understanding the effects of air pollution important?

Right now, people around the world are exposed to air pollution from factories and power plants—some unknowingly, because the pollution can travel long distances.

Knowing that even a small amount of pollution can cause potentially fatal strokes will make it easier to create policies to prevent or capture pollution.

“The long-term impact of air pollution on (cardiovascular disease) has been well established in the scientific literature; however, the short-term effects have not yet been well studied, particularly with regard to Polish smog and the incidence of ischemic stroke in the Eastern European region,” the researchers said, per Healio. “Understanding these dependencies is critically important for health care planning and resource allocation.”

What can I do about pollution?

First, you can reduce your personal risk by paying attention to air quality. A air quality monitor can help, as can the EPA website for tracking air quality data. Inside the home, air purifiers will help protect your health; outside, you can wear a mask designed to filter out fine particle pollution on heavy days.

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Meanwhile, voting for pro-environment candidates who will help control pollution is the best option for long-term solutions.

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