Cardiovascular diseases account for roughly 60% of global deaths every year. These diseases are attributed to particulate matter within the atmosphere which penetrates into the systemic circulation. As a matter of fact, approximately 4 million deaths annually are associated with air pollution-specifically fine dust air pollution. Experts in cardiology, from Institute of Cardiovascular Science at University College London, and Chemistry from Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, have explained the mechanism of cardiovascular diseases caused by air pollution at a molecular level.
Various components and elements of air pollution such as ozone, carbon (II) oxide, nitrogen compounds, particulate matter and carbon (IV) oxide have been used to explain this mechanism. These components have proved to cause extensive damage to the cardiovascular system which comprises of the heart and all blood vessels. However, particulate matter has a significant contribution to cardiovascular diseases and damages to blood vessels.
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In a nutshell, particulate matter (ultrafine matter) may get aspired with air during inhalation. Due to its microscopic size, it may diffuse across the respiratory membrane into the blood vessels where it gets into the systemic circulation. Accumulation of particulate matter on the walls of blood vessels initiates inflammatory responses (the body's primary defense mechanism) which cause localized inflammation. Conventionally, inflammation is associated with swelling and reddening of blood vessels.
Progressive inflammation may subsequently lead to calcification (deposition of calcium salt to cause hardening) of the walls of blood vessels thus causing arteriosclerosis according to Professor Münzel. In fact, arteriosclerosis is one of the main cardiovascular complications which may lead to death. Moreover, ultrafine matter within the systemic circulation may cause development of other cardiovascular diseases such as acute and chronic myocardial infarction, cardiac dysfunction and failure of cardiac muscles. Cessation of cardiac activity affects normal blood circulation which ultimately leads to death.
One of the main sources of air pollutants which damage the cardiovascular system is exhaust fumes from diesel engines. Nitrogen (IV) oxide, a major component of diesel, has potential to cause cardiovascular diseases within the population. Minute quantities of ultrafine matter may also be present in exhaust fumes from diesel engines. Therefore, rapid urbanization can be attributed to the rising cases of cardiovascular diseases associated with air pollution.
Industrial and agricultural productions are also major sources of air pollution according to Professor Jos (Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz , 2018). Gaseous waste emissions from heavy industrial machinery predispose the pollution dwelling around industries to the risk cardiovascular diseases. Major components of gaseous waste emissions are high molecular weight compounds which negatively affect cardiac activity and cardiovascular function. Use of aerosol sprays and high molecular weight agricultural chemicals may also predispose farmers to risks of cardiovascular diseases.
The incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases can be reduced by minimizing the rate of air pollution. According to the article, there exists a positive correlation between air pollution and cardiovascular diseases (Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz , 2018). This means that the extent of air pollution determines the incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases associated with particulate matter within the systemic circulation. Both federal and state governments should put in place regulations meant to minimize air pollution. Manufacturing and processing industries should be banned from releasing harmful gaseous chemicals into the atmosphere. In fact all industries should be obliged to install electrostatic precipitators in their waste gas chimneys to filter out high molecular weight and harmful gaseous components. Hybrid cars (cars with both electric and combustion engines) should be adopted to minimize air pollution from traffic.
Reference
Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz . (2018). Air pollution leads to cardiovascular diseases: Mechanisms that cause vascular damage. ScienceDaily . Retrieved August 23, 2018 from www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2018/08/180822122829.htm
