Air pollution and noise pollution often occur together as some of the most heavily air polluted areas are also those which are close to noise polluted busy roads, railway stations and industrial zones. Living near a busy highway, airport and congested roads, exposes individuals to two major pollution sources which on long-term, can adversely affect your heart and even trigger heart attacks.
Air Pollution and Death
It is estimated that almost seven million people die each year because of exposure to air pollution. In 2012, one in very eight deaths worldwide were linked to air pollution. The main cases of death linked to air pollution were heart disease, brain stroke and lung disease. Poor and middle income countries in South-East Asia, had the largest number of air pollution deaths, lined both to indoor as well as outdoor air pollution. Pollution in our country is caused mainly due to cooking over coal and burning wood. Outdoor pollution is predominantly due to gaseous emission from transport vehicles, industrial units and power generation plants.
Risk of Heart Disease Due to Air Pollution
Short-term exposure such as few week can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases including heart-attack, shock, heart failure, irregularities of heart beat, and even death, particularly in vulnerable population such as elderly, those with pre-existing heart diseases and diabetics. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter facilitates development and progression of cholesterol deposition in the wall of arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. It may also play a role in high BP, heart failure and diabetes. Life expectancy has been shown to be reduced by several months to a few years by prolonged exposure to air pollution.
What Can You Do to Lower the Risk
There are a number of steps, one can take to change the quality of air around you in your home. (1) Vacuum your floor regularly using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner. (2) Increase ventilation by opening a few windows every day for 5-10 minutes. (3) Take your shoes off as soon as you enter the house. (4) Discourage tobacco smoking around you? (5) Avoid using non stick cookware which can release toxins into air when heated (6) Use non toxic cleaning products, and safer personal care products. Avoid aero-sol. (7) Avoid products for personal care. (8) Don’t hang dry cleaned clothes in your close proximity, hang them out door for a day or two. (9)Avoid pesticide spray. (10) Use air conditioned vehicles for transport.
PROF. D.S. Gambhir
MD, DM, FAMS, FCSI, FICC,
FCAPSC, FSCAI, FACC (USA)