Air pollution is a significant reason behind several diseases and even premature death. Now, a study has found that even short-term exposure to air pollution may increase the chance of stroke.
A recent study, published within the journal Neurology, found that individuals who had been exposed to higher concentrations of assorted forms of gaseous and particulate air pollutants had the next risk of suffering ischemic strokes. Here, researchers define short-term exposure as occurring inside five days prior to the stroke.
Researchers found that higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide showed a notable 28% increase in stroke risk, while high ozone levels indicated a 5% increase. Carbon monoxide was linked to a 26% increase, and sulfur dioxide, 15%.
Moreover, heightened concentrations of PM1 (particles with a diameter lower than 1 micron or μm) was linked to a 9% higher risk or strokes, whereas PM2.5 (positive particles from sources like vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions) showed a 15% increase, and PM10 (which incorporates larger particles like road dust and construction debris) displayed a 14% rise in stroke risk.
These higher levels of air pollution also correlated with a heightened risk of stroke-related deaths. Nitrogen dioxide led to a 33% increased risk of stroke-related death, while sulfur dioxide showed a considerable 60% increase. Moreover, PM2.5 was linked to a 9% higher risk, and PM10 showed a 2% increase in the chance of stroke-related mortality.
The meta-analysis involved a review of 110 studies, including greater than 18 million cases of strokes, with the researchers examining pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. These findings highlighted the urgency of addressing the immediate consequences of environmental aspects on public health.
“Previous research has established a connection between long-term exposure to air pollution and an increased risk of stroke. Nonetheless, the correlation between short-term exposure to air pollution and stroke had been less clear,” said Ahmad Toubasi, writer of the study, as reported by News Medical.
“For our study, as a substitute of weeks or months of exposure, we checked out just five days and located a link between short-term exposure to air pollution and an increased risk of stroke,” she added. “There may be a powerful and significant association between air pollution and the occurrence of stroke in addition to death from stroke inside five days of exposure.”
The authors of the study suggested that increasing global efforts to create policies that reduce air pollution may help reduce the variety of strokes and their consequences.
In line with the World Health Organization, every year, roughly 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke, which leads to five million deaths annually.
Published by Medicaldaily.com