Practitioners

Chen et al., (2017) in a panel study determined that in participants with COPD, reduction in pulmonary function was associated with short-term exposure to PM2.5. Hemmingsen et al., (2015), determined that exposure to real-life levels of PM from urban street air impairs the vasomotor function and heart rate variability in overweight middle-aged and elderly adults.

Warburton et al., (2019), found that people with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at an increased risk for short-term adverse cardiovascular-related events and disturbances in autonomic function when exposed to air pollution in comparison to healthy individuals. Heart rate variability was negatively associated with multiple pollutants including black carbon, carbon dioxide, CO, and NO2 as well as mass concentrations of PM0.3–1.0, PM2.5, PM2.5–10, PM10, and accumulation mode particles (AMP). ST-segment depression was associated with diesel exhaust, black carbon, and particulate air pollution. Other adverse cardiovascular symptoms were reported after higher exposure to air pollution while exercising including an earlier onset of anginal symptoms, and increased number, complexity, and severity of ventricular arrhythmias, pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index.