Fine particulate air pollution increases heart rhythm abnormalities in teens – study

Fine particulate air pollution increases heart rhythm abnormalities in teens – study

സൂക്ഷ്മ കണികാ വായു മലിനീകരണം കൗമാരക്കാരിൽ ഹൃദയ താളം ക്രമക്കേടുകൾ വർദ്ധിപ്പിക്കുന്നു

फाइन पार्टिकुलेट वायु प्रदूषण किशोरों में हृदय ताल असामान्यताओं को बढ़ाता है

Fine particles with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM_2.5) exposure has been associated with a risk of death and heart rhythm abnormalities in adults. Now a study has shown that PM_2.5 exposure is associated with an increase in abnormal heart beats originating from the lower chambers of the heart in teens.

The study analyzed data from 322 adolescents who participated in the Penn State Child Cohort follow‐up examination. PM_2.5 exposure was measured using a nephelometer. A nephelometer or aerosol photometer is an instrument used for measuring the concentration of suspended particulates in fluids including air. Along with this 24 hour Holter ECG monitoring was done to evaluate heart rhythm abnormalities which included premature beats originating from upper and lower chambers of the heart.

PM_2.5 exposure was associated with an increase in the number of premature beats originating from the lower chambers of the heart or the ventricles. A 10 μg/m³ increment in PM_2.5 was associated with a 5%  increase in premature ventricular complexes within 2 hours after exposure. PM_2.5 concentration was not associated with premature beats from the upper chambers of the heart. It may be noted that PM_2.5 concentrations were below the 24-hour air quality standard of less than 35 μg/m³ given by US Environmental Protection Agency in 2020.