HEPA air filters can help reduce air pollution’s cardiovascular impacts

In short:

• People who live near highways are exposed to air pollution such as particulate matter (PM), which has been linked to elevated blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Individuals who had elevated SBP experienced a reduction in their blood pressure when using in-home, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers, without any other changes to their lifestyle or daily activities.
• This was true even in scenarios where PM exposure levels were within U.S. regulatory safety limits.

Key quote:

"High blood pressure remains one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This research adds to growing evidence that simple interventions, like in-home air filtration, may help improve heart health for people at risk."

- Lead study author Doug Brugge, Ph.D., via the American College of Cardiology’s accompanying press release

Why this matters:

Air pollution is a major risk factor for human health globally, responsible for an estimated 6.6 million deaths in 2019 alone. Traffic-related particulate matter is considered to be one of the leading causes of cardiovascular illness, and research suggests that health impacts occur at exposure levels below current U.S. regulatory standards. With 24% of the U.S. population living near high-volume roads, the authors of this study emphasize the importance of protective measures that go beyond at-home interventions to help reduce harm to public health.

Related EHN coverage:

• Portable air filters in daycares can reduce indoor pollution by 83%: Study
• Air pollution linked to more than 700 health conditions

More resources:

• World Health Organization (WHO): Household air pollution and Outdoor air pollution
• California Air Resources Board: Inhalable Particulate Matter and Health

Brugge, Doug et al. for The Journal of the American College of Cardiology vol. 86, 8. Aug 6, 2025