Diesel Fume Raises Heart Attack Risks

A recent study made by Edinburgh University scientists revealed that chemical particles in diesel exhaust fumes could increase the risk of heart attacks. Also, there is a chance of blood clots forming in the arteries leadingto a possible stroke. The team of scientists measured the impact of diesel exhaust fumes on a group of healthy volunteers at levels found in heavily polluted cities.

Furthermore, the volunteers reaction to gases found in diesel fumes, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, were compared with their reactions to tiny chemical parties found in the exhausts. The breakthrough came when they found that the particles, and not the gasses, impaired the function of blood vessels.

"These particles produce highly reactive molecules called free radicals that can injure our blood vessels and lead to vascular disease.We are now investigating which of the chemicals carried by these particles cause these harmful actions, so that in the future we can try and remove these chemicals, and prevent the health effects of vehicle emissions." DrMark Miller of Edingburgh Univrsity’s centre of cardiovascular science was quoted as saying by bbc.co.uk.

The targeted particles which are are thinner than a million of a metre, can be filtered out of exhaust emissions by fitting special exhaust traps to vehicles. Also the team of researchers from Edinburgh University said that health measures designed to reduce emissions should now be tested to determine whether they reduce the rate of heart attacks.
Nowadays people with heard disease should avoid areas where traffic pollution is known to be high.