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http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/lifestyle/a/-/lifestyle/9842280/exhaust-pollution-linked-to-heart-attacks/

Exhaust pollution linked to heart attacks

PA, The West AustralianJuly 14, 2011, 10:45 am

Tiny chemical particles in diesel exhaust fumes could increase the risk of heart attacks.

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh found that minuscule particles produced by burning diesel can increase the chance of blood clots forming in arteries, leading to heart attacks or stroke.

The team, funded by the British Heart Foundation, measured the impact of diesel exhaust fumes on a group of healthy volunteers at levels found in heavily polluted cities.

The volunteers' reaction to gases found in diesel fumes, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, were compared with their reactions to tiny chemical particles found in the exhausts.

It was found that the particles, and not the gases, impaired the function of blood vessels.

"While many people tend to think of the effects of air pollution in terms of damage to the lungs, there is strong evidence that it has an impact on the heart and blood vessels as well," Dr Mark Miller, of the university's centre for cardiovascular science, said.

"Our research shows that while both gases and particles can affect our blood pressure, it is actually the minuscule chemical particles that are emitted by car exhausts that are really harmful. These particles produce highly reactive molecules called free radicals that can injure our blood vessels and lead to vascular disease.

"We are now investigating which of the chemicals carried by these particles cause these harmful actions, so that in the future we can try and remove these chemicals, and prevent the health effects of vehicle emissions."

The particles, which are thinner than a millionth of a metre, can be filtered out of exhaust emissions by fitting special traps to vehicles.

The researchers said environmental health measures designed to reduce emissions should be tested to determine whether they reduced the rate of heart attacks.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said people with heart disease should avoid spending long periods outside in areas where traffic pollution was likely to be high, such as near busy roads.