Tightening air quality regulations could significantly reduce hospitalisations for heart attacks, strokes and heart failure, according to new research analysing data from over 300,000 UK adults.
The study, which tracked participants aged 60 and older between 2015 and 2019, examined how hypothetical reductions in PM2.5 might affect cardiovascular health.
Researchers from the UK Biobank analysed what would happen if pollution levels were reduced by 5% whenever they exceeded specific thresholds. They tested three different standards: 12, 10, and 9 μg/m³, representing targets set by England, Scotland, and the US Environmental Protection Agency respectively.
The findings revealed substantial health benefits from stricter standards. At the most stringent threshold of 9 μg/m³, the intervention would prevent approximately 8.6 heart attack hospitalisations, 3.2 heart failure cases and 2.3 strokes per 1,000 people over five years. Even the less strict 12 μg/m³ standard showed benefits, preventing about 1.5 stroke hospitalisations per 1,000 people.
The study found that certain groups would benefit more from cleaner air. Adults aged 68 and older experienced greater risk reductions than younger seniors, particularly for heart attacks and heart failure. Men also showed larger benefits than women for these specific conditions.
What makes this research particularly valuable is its approach. Rather than simply observing associations between pollution and disease, the scientists used advanced statistical methods to estimate what would actually happen if pollution standards were strengthened – similar to predicting the outcome of a large-scale public health intervention.
‘This evidence is essential for estimating the benefits of meeting specific PM2.5 standards,’ the researchers noted, adding that such information supports decision-making about whether to tighten air quality regulations.
The study’s results remained consistent even after accounting for other factors like nitrogen dioxide exposure, family history of heart disease and body mass index, strengthening confidence in the findings.
With life expectancy increasing globally but healthy life expectancy lagging behind, cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of reduced quality of life among older adults. This research suggests that improving air quality could be a powerful tool for protecting heart health in aging populations.
The full research can be read here.
Photo: Anastasiia Ornarin
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