Long exposure to smog on the body increases the risk of angina and myocardial infarction.

This is evidenced by the results of a new study published in the BMJ.

Smog represents the smallest particles of industrial pollutants that can easily penetrate into the lungs.

For their research, scientists from Rome analyzed data on more than 100 thousand Europeans without a history of cardiovascular disease, observed on average for 11.5 years.

During this period, coronary events, including a heart attack, were recorded in more than 5,100 participants.

After including several risk factors in the analysis, such as smoking and related health problems, the scientists came to this conclusion. Growth of PM2 particle concentration. 5 (2.5 ?m in diameter or less) by 5 micrograms per cubic meter (?g / m3) is associated with an increased risk of coronary events by 13%. At the same time, an increase in the concentration of large PM10 particles (10 ?m in diameter or less) by 10 ?g / m3 is associated with an increase in the risk of coronary events by "only" by 12%.

Disappointing results of Italian researchers were published on Tuesday in the online edition of the British Medical Journal.

Recall that the current limiting concentration of PM2. 5 in the European Union is 25 ?g / m3, and in the United States of America - 12 ?g / m3. At the same time, the World Health Organization considers the admissible concentration of PM2. 5 not more than 10 ?g / m3.

"Our study suggests a clear link between the long-term exposure to microscopic solids and the risk of coronary events," said Giulia Cesaroni, lead researcher in the Epidemiology Unit of the Regional Health Service of Lazio, Italy,.

The authors added that their results are supported by recommendations to reduce the permissible level of air pollution in the European Union for the protection of public health.

They also note that their study, while revealing a definite relationship between exposure to smog and the risk of angina pectoris, failed to prove the cause-effect relationship and explain its mechanism.

It is believed that solid particles polluting the atmosphere, every year kill about 3.2 million people around the world, not only in industrialized countries. Such figures are given in the article of Italian scientists.

medbe. en.