Previous studies have shown a link between particulate air pollution and cardiovascular abnormalities in people with severe cardiovascular disease. Duanping Liao, from Penn State University (Pennsylvania, USA), and colleagues have found that healthy people can develop arrhythmias with acute exposure to fine particulate matter. For every 10 microgram/cubic meter increase in the concentration of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, the researchers observed an 8% increase in the number of preventricular contractions in the first 30 minutes of exposure. Further, an increase of 3% in these ectopic beats remained for an additional 30 minutes and decreased thereafter. The researcher conclude that: “Exposure [to particulates smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter] … was associated with increased [preventricular contraction] counts in healthy individuals.”
Air Particulates May Prompt Heart Arrhythmias
Fine particulate matter in the air may trigger heart abnormalities among middle-age people who do not otherwise have cardiovascular conditions.
He F, Shaffer ML, Rodriguez-Colon S, Yanosky JD, Bixler E, et al. “Acute Effects of Fine Particulate Air Pollution on Cardiac Arrhythmia-The APACR Study.” Environ Health Perspect ., March 11, 2011.