Air pollution can cause arrhythmias in healthy adolescents

Breathing particulate matter (i.e., tiny particles suspended in the air) that pollute the air can trigger irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) in healthy adolescents, according to new research published today in the ‘Journal of the American Heart Association’ and conducted by experts at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Although they are relatively rare, arrhythmias can lead to sudden cardiac death in adolescents and young adults. healthy. Our findings suggest that particulate matter may contribute to the risk of sudden cardiac death among young people,” the experts said.

The study examined the impact of breathing fine particulate matter on heart rate in adolescents. Fine particles (PM 2.5 ) can be easily inhaled and can enter the bloodstream. Particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns is often associated with the combustion of fuels, such as particulate matter from automobile exhaust or forest fires. Once inhaled, pollutants irritate the lungs and the blood vessels around the heart.

At work 322 healthy children aged 6 to 12 years were analyzed. The researchers simultaneously measured exposure to fine particles in the air each teenager breathed (using a device called a nephelometer) for 24 hours and each teenager’s heart rhythms via a ‘Holter’.

Seventy-nine percent of the participants had at least one irregular heart rhythm during the 24-hour study period and, of those, 40 percent had only premature atrial contractions, 12 percent had only premature ventricular contractions, and 48 percent had both.

Also, a 5 percent increase in the number of premature ventricular contractions was observed within two hours after exposure for each increase in contamination level. “It is alarming that we could observe such a significant impact of air pollution on cardiac arrhythmias when air quality remained within the health standards set by the EPA. It may suggest that adolescents living in highly polluted areas, such as inner cities, are at even greater risk,” the experts said.