Smog particles penetrate from the lungs into the blood

Researchers have long known that air pollution is linked to cardiovascular disease, which can lead to premature deaths. They suspected that nanoparticles were making their way from the lungs into the blood, but had no evidence for this. Until now.

Scientific studies from the University of Edinburgh and the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment have confirmed that microscopic smog particles are able to pass from the lungs into the bloodstream, potentially explaining the link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.

In the study, which led by Mark Miller of the University of Edinburgh, involved 14 healthy volunteers, 12 patient after surgical treatment, and more than a dozen rodents. Volunteers and mice were given microscopic gold particles to inhale, which re are used in medical imaging and for drug delivery. Wkr tce after exposure, gold nanoparticles were discovered in blood and urine.

Scientists have also noted that microscopic particles tend to accumulate in areas of inflammation, e.g. On carotid artery plaques in a patient with the risk of stroke m fromgu.

The discovery indicates that nanoparticles can travel from the lungs into the bloodstream and reach susceptible areas of the in the cardiovascular system, where they can increase the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke m zgu.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 72 percent of premature deaths in 2012 associated with air pollution occurred due to heart ischemia and stroke m zgu. Remaining premature deaths were caused by lung disease, respiratory infections and lung cancer.