Chronic exposure to common air pollutants significantly raises the risk of developing dangerous blood clots in deep veins, according to a long-term U.S. study.
Pamela Ferdinand reports for U.S. Right to Know.
In short:
- A study of more than 6,600 adults found higher rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in areas with elevated air pollution.
- Increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were linked to a higher risk of blood clots.
- The study followed participants in six cities over 17 years, showing pollution's role in clotting risks even among non-smokers.
Key quote:
“Importantly, air pollution is ubiquitous, so even modest associations can result in a large number of [health] events.”
— Dr. Pamela Lutsey, professor of epidemiology and community health at the University of Minnesota
Why this matters:
Air pollution's association with blood clots adds to concerns about its impact on cardiovascular health. Reducing pollution could lower the incidence of potentially fatal VTE, benefiting millions of people.
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