Tag: Air Pollution

Can mild air pollution be deadly ?

Heavy Industrial air pollution can be harmful to health.

Can even a mild level of air pollution be harmful to health?

Yes !

A study published in BMJ reports that “outdoor air pollution is associated with increased risk of death even at low pollution levels below the current European and North American standards and WHO guideline values”.

City dwellers need to be careful !

References

BMJ Research
Long term exposure to low level air pollution and mortality in eight European cohorts within the ELAPSE project: pooled analysis
BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1904 (Published 02 September 2021)
Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1904

Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.

Outdoor face masks: is it helpful or an hindrance?

In the indoor settings, wearing masks can help to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 infection.

But in the outdoor setting, masks may not be very helpful as the risk of getting COVID-19 infection from others, in outdoor settings, is considerably smaller.

Two teams discuss the pros and cons of outdoor mask wearing in a BMJ debate.

Apart from infection prevention, I can see some additional benefits for voluntarily wearing masks in the streets.

The streets of major cities have significant air-pollution. So facial masks can help to reduce inhalation of toxic chemicals.

More and more surveillance street-cameras are now deploying facial-recognition software to deter criminals. But the cameras may also track movements of ordinary law-abiding people for marketing and advertising reasons. So face-masks may also be helpful to those with privacy concerns.

Read the article and submit your views through BMJ rapid response section.

BMJ . Coronavirus Transmission
Should masks be worn outdoors?
BMJ 2021; 373 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1036 (Published 28 April 2021)
Cite this as: BMJ 2021;373:n1036

Sundar S. Voluntary outdoor mask-wearing can have incidental benefits in cities. BMJ rapid response. 2nd May 2021.

Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is not previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are not in way intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

Can Traffic pollution kill you ?

Yes, pollution from cars and lorries can kill.

A recent study published in BMJ shows increase in heart and lung related deaths due to traffic pollution.

Reference:

BMJ. Short term associations of ambient nitrogen dioxide with daily total, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality: multilocation analysis in 398 cities. BMJ 2021; 372 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n534 (Published 24 March 2021)
Cite this as: BMJ 2021;372:n534

Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is not previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation the author is associated with. The authors views are not in way intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

Can Pollution affect your heart?

Air pollution, particularly breathing toxic fumes whether it is from a cigarette or a diesel lorry is bad for the lungs.

Can pollution affect your heart as well ?

Yes, it can.

A large study involving more than 8 million people across 184 major cities in China studied the effect of pollution on heart diseases.

The study reports that “short term exposure to Pollutants in air is associated with increased risk of hospital admissions for major heart problems”.

May be everyone living or working close to major roads or high traffic areas should invest in a good mask !!!

Reference

Association between ambient fine particulate pollution and hospital admissions for cause specific cardiovascular disease: time series study in 184 major Chinese cities

BMJ 2019; 367 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6572 (Published 30 December 2019)

Cite this as: BMJ 2019;367:l6572

Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is purely for information only. See your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant for you.

Walking is good exercise

New year. January. First month of a New year – it’s the time of year many people take a look at their lifestyle and vow to eat better, exercise better and live better.

Many people consider Gym or Health Club membership.

But Exercise doesn’t need to cost a lot. Being active, doesn’t need to be regimented.

Simply walking anywhere is good compared to no exercise at all. Walking in the Park or Quiet streets has lot of benefits.

Good article in BBC on the benefits of walking.

A word of caution though !

Avoid Walking or Jogging near busy roads so that the benefits of walking are not negated by pollution.

Reference

1. BBC. 8 reasons why we should all walk more. BBC.

2. Guardian. Traffic fumes in city streets ‘largely wipe out exercise benefits for over-60s’.

Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is purely for information only. See your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant for you.