0
0
Boston, USA – February 23, 2024
Recent studies published in The BMJ underscore the detrimental impact of short and long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution on heart and lung health, prompting concerns over the absence of a safe threshold for such pollution levels.
Conducted by researchers from Harvard T.H Chan School of Medicine in the United States, these findings shed light on the alarming consequences of PM2.5 exposure, emphasizing the urgent need for stringent air quality regulations.
The first study, involving nearly 60 million US adults aged 65 and over, analyzed the association between average daily PM2.5 levels and hospital admissions for major cardiovascular diseases from 2000 to 2016. The results revealed a notable increase in the risk of hospitalization for various heart conditions, including ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia, with higher PM2.5 exposure levels. Notably, exposures between 9 and 10 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the WHO air quality guideline, were linked to a 29 percent increased risk of cardiovascular-related hospital admissions.
Lead researcher from Harvard University in the US emphasized, “Reducing annual PM2.5 below 5 micrograms per cubic meter could potentially prevent 23 percent of hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease.”
Furthermore, the adverse cardiovascular effects persisted for at least three years post-exposure, with susceptibility varying based on factors such as age, education, and access to healthcare services.
In the second study, which analyzed data from over 50 million US adults aged 18 and over from 2010 to 2016, researchers found that short-term exposure to PM2.5, even below the new WHO air quality guideline limit, was associated with higher rates of hospital admissions and emergency department visits for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
These findings underscore the urgent need for stricter air quality standards to safeguard public health, particularly in light of the World Health Organization’s updated guidelines recommending PM2.5 levels not to exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter annually and 15 micrograms per cubic meter in a 24-hour period.
Dr. Matthew Campbell, a lead researcher, emphasized, “No safe threshold exists for the chronic effect of PM2.5 on overall cardiovascular health.”
As PM2.5 pollution continues to pose significant health risks, these studies highlight the critical importance of concerted efforts to mitigate air pollution and protect vulnerable populations from its harmful effects.
