A study published in the journal Radiology has found that long-term exposure to common air pollutants is associated with increased plaque buildup in the arteries and higher rates of obstructive coronary artery disease, according to a report written by Ava Durgin. The research, involving 11,128 adults in Toronto, measured exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over a decade. The findings emerged in a population exposed to pollution levels that largely fell within current air-quality guidelines.
Air pollution is often discussed as a respiratory issue, but researchers say its effects extend to cardiovascular health. The study highlights that air pollution may be a risk factor for heart disease that does not appear on standard blood tests. Previous research has already linked air pollution to cardiovascular disease, including a study that found exposure to ground-level ozone may damage arteries and increase the risk of atherosclerosis [1]. Another study using laboratory mice showed a direct cause-and-effect link between fine particle air pollution and the development of atherosclerosis [2].
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