Connection Discovered Between Particulate Matter And Cardiovascular Disease
Poor indoor air quality has long been known to have adverse effects on human health. However, the 2014 paper Air Pollution Exposure and Cardiovascular Disease (Lee et.al) has established a direct causal link between indoor air pollution and cardiac conditions. Our hope is that this further illustrates the seriousness of managing indoor air quality, particularly for young children and senior citizens. The study focuses on particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10). Airocide has introduced the APS-200 PM 2.5 as a unique way to mitigate indoor particulate matter. So, our understanding it’s connections to human health are critical.
The connection between particulate matter of an average diameter of 2.5 microns and 10 microns and respiratory health is well established. To the extent that it is a a very serious concern for governments and health organizations all over the world. Increased respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, and chronic cough (associated with bronchitis and conjunctivitis) are all well documented in scientific study as symptoms of heightened particulate matter levels. Now, however, inquiry has drifted into the impact on cardiovascular health. The results are disturbing to say the least. The smaller the diameter of particulate matter, the better its aerodynamic qualities. So, PM 2.5 is going to be more pervasive and durable than particulate matter of larger diameter. The 1993 study An Association Between Air Pollution And Mortality In Six US Cities (Dockery et.al), and the 2002 Study Air Pollution And Health(Brunekreef et.al) established the connection between adverse health effects and both short and long term exposure to PM 2.5. Severity increases non-linearly with exposure time. Furthermore, there is increased risk to vulnerable populations. Those with chronic respiratory conditions, the elderly, and young children are all more likely to experience adverse health effects and death according to Lee et.al.
Sources of particulate matter are generally considered as either human derived or natural phenomena. Volcanoes, wildfires, sandstorms, and land dust are all considered natural. Vehicle exhaust and industrial residual are of man. The particulate matter is categorized based on its aerodynamic diameter; here described as PM 2.5 (2.5 microns) and PM 10 (10 microns). As stated above, this diameter dictates persistence in the ambient air, but also determines where in the human body the particulate matter comes to rest. Most PM 10 is deposited into the nasal cavity and upper airways. It is responsible for exacerbation of asthma symptoms, and other upper respiratory reactions. Most of the damage from PM 10 results from short term exposure to events such as fire or other natural phenomena. PM 2.5 though, can penetrate deep into the gas exchange areas of the lungs (alveoli) potentially ending up in the bloodstream. The evidence for this hypothesis comes from the discovery of PM 2.5 in alveolar macrophages and endothelial cells taken from animal models under observation. The consequences of this transmission to the bloodstream are dire. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that air pollution was responsible for 6.7 million deaths worldwide in 2012. It was determined to be the cause of 16% of lung cancer deaths, 11% of pulmonary disease related deaths, 29% of heart disease and stroke related deaths, and 13% of deaths related to respiratory infection. The study Lee et.al further determined that there is a heightened risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter in the environment.
The study identified specific cardiac outcomes identified with each aerodynamic diameter of particulate matter. PM 2.5 is a major contributor to ischemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. These connections were established based on previously published work in the United States. PM 10 is most closely associated with stroke according to observations made in Denmark. Both diameters of particulate matter have been associated with higher blood pressure. Lee et al documents a 1.8 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure for every 10.3 micrograms per cubic meter increase in particulate matter. This is associated with both the carbon content, and the ozone that results from the reaction of sunlight with the heterogenous mixture of gasses associated with particulate matter. Airocide has always been of the opinion that Ozone is detrimental to human health based on evidence of lung damage from sources such as the US Environmental Protection Agency. These finding in Lee et.al are further evidence of the correlation between Ozone exposure and pulmonary/cardiovascular events.
The conclusion is that air quality is not to be taken lightly. Human activity and natural events which increase concentrations of particulate matter simultaneously increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and resulting mortality outcomes. Controlling particulate matter generation outdoors ranges from problematic to impossible. Natural phenomena, of course, is beyond human control. The sources which are derived from man, however, are often associated with critical economic activity. People need to eat, and to eat they must earn. This makes any attempt at controlling particulate matter emissions politically challenging to say the least. However, people are spending an increased amount of time indoors. In the developed world, someone will spend more than 90% of their day inside. Fortunately, because of technologies like the Airocide APS-200 PM 2.5 the indoor environment is possible to control. Airocide conducted its own study in 2016 on indoor PM 2.5 levels after the introduction of our new technology. Effects of the Airocide APS-200 PM 2.5 Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) Unit on PM 2.5 (Robertson et.al) documented a 93.4% reduction in PM 2.5 levels over the duration of observations. This proves that the new Airocide technology removes nearly all of the particulate matter from the home. Given the large quotient of time most people spend indoors, it is our belief that the PM 2.5 unit has the potential to significantly reduce air pollution related cardiovascular disease, and the deaths associated with it.
David A. Ghelerter
Chief Science and Technology Officer