Exposure to air pollution hurts heart, ups risk of cardiac arrest & stroke, says study
Polluted air can also increase the chance of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases.
By ET Online | Updated:
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Prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter in the air can lead to serious health conditions in people.
It's the beginning of that time of the year when Delhi-NCR's air quality drops to the 'severe' category. On Wednesday, the air quality of the national capital witnessed a drop to 'poor' levels.
Currently, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stands at 211, dropping from 150, whereas, worse quality was observed in neighbouring areas such as Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Noida.
The AQI between 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', and 301 and above are considered 'hazardous' or 'severe', posing a threat to people's health and well-being.
Prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air can lead to serious health conditions in people.
A new study found that particle radioactivity in the air can increase the chance of mortality from cardiovascular disease - heart attack or stroke in particular.
Particle radioactivity happens when the particulate matter reflects radon, a chemical element that comes from radon gas which is radioactive, colourless, odourless and tasteless. "The particle radioactivity occurs naturally as a product of radioactive decay of uranium found in soil and rocks. Radon migrates into the atmosphere, decaying to alpha-, beta- and gamma-radiation-emitting isotopes," the study explained.
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Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study found that chronic particle radioactivity and PM2.5 exposure were associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, heart attack or stroke, and all causes of non-accidental death. Take precautions to protect yourself from air pollution. For the study, the researchers used spatiotemporal predictions of gross beta-activity, a way to use different variables across space and time, to provide refined predictions of exposure. Examining health records from more than 700,000 non-accidental deaths in Massachusetts between 2001 and 2015, they estimated how long-term (months/year) gross beta-activity exposure impacts death from cardiovascular disease, heart attack or stroke and death from all non-accidental causes. They also predicted PM2.5 on cardiovascular disease-related death and examined the interaction between PM2.5 and particle radioactivity.
Based on the middle 50 per cent of the data spread, particle radioactivity exposure alone was associated with a 16 per cent increased risk of death from a heart attack; an 11 per cent increased risk of death from stroke; a 7 per cent increased risk of death from all types of cardiovascular disease; and a 4 per cent increased risk of death from all non-accidental causes.
Similarly, PM2.5 exposure alone increased the risk of death from a heart attack by 6 per cent; death from stroke by 11 per cent; death from all cardiovascular disease by 12 per cent; and death from all non-accidental causes by 10 per cent.
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During this time, take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from air pollution.
Stay indoors as much as possible
Avoid exercising outdoors
Invest in an air purifier
Avoid smoking
Get an 'N95' label mask that can filter out PM2.5 particles
How are you keeping yourself safe during this time? Let us know in the Comment section.
World Heart Day: Avoid These Food Items For Healthy Heart
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On this World Heart Day, here's a list of food items that you should avoid to keep your heart healthy.
On this World Heart Day, here's a list of food items that you should avoid to keep your heart healthy.
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