Study links polluted air to female heart risks

On Wednesday US researchers reported that older women who are exposed to fine-particulate air pollution caused mainly by vehicle exhausts, coal-fired power plants and other industrial sources could face the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

The study by Joel Kaufman of the University of Washington at Seattle and other researchers found that air pollution is a much bigger factor in deaths from heart ailments or strokes than has previously been recognized.

Dr. Joel Kaufman and colleagues in their report wrote "Our study provides evidence of the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and the incidence of cardiovascular disease."

The researchers followed 66,000 women in the age group of 50 to 79, living in 36 cities across United States. The women did not have previous history of cardiovascular disease and were enrolled in an ongoing health study, the Women's Health Initiative.

The researchers after adjusting other risk factor for heart disease and stroke found that as the level of fine particulate matter in the air increased by 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air accordingly their was 76 percent increase in the risk of death from heart diseases in women.

"We assessed the women's exposure to air pollutants using the monitor located nearest to each woman's residence," the researchers wrote.

Particulate matter (PM) is the general term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air and includes aerosols, smoke, fumes, dust, ash and pollen. Depending on the season, place and weather conditions the particulate matters composition changes and the fine particulate matter is 2.5 microns in diameter and less. It is also known as PM2.5 and it could lodge in the lung.

From a long time everyone know that particulate matters do cause heart and lung diseases but now this study shows that women are more susceptible to it than the male counterpart and the reason could be biological difference or due to the small blood vessels in women.

"The effect seems large and important and should be taken seriously" Kaufman said.

According to the study other air pollutants namely sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and nitrogen dioxide, did not increase the heart attack risk.

Earlier scientific studies have linked particulate matter, especially fine particles, with a series of significant health problems, including premature death, respiratory disorder, chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function.

This is the second study on air pollution, in fact a report was published in the January 26 online edition of The Lancet which proved that children who grow up near busy roads or highways have significant impairments in their lung development that lead to acute respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis.