Heart Health

Long-term exposure to traffic fumes may damage blood vessels

 

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Image: Thinkstock

Exposure to air pollution is a well-known risk for cardiovascular disease. To delve deeper into the hazards of automobile emissions, researchers measured indicators of vascular health in over 5,000 people who lived near major roadways.

The researchers assessed members of the Framingham Offspring and Third Generation studies who lived within 1,000 meters (a little over 1,000 yards) of a major road or highway. Data on the level of fine particles in the air for each neighborhood sector were collected over the course of a year and extrapolated for the period of the study. All participants underwent tests to assess the ability of their arteries to expand to accommodate blood flow.

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