A study conducted in London shows that air pollution affects the blood pressure of adolescents.
- Systolic blood pressure corresponds to the blood pressure in the contraction phase of the left ventricle. It is considered ideal when it is between 115 and 120 mmHg.
- Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart relaxes. It should ideally be between 75 and 80 mmHg.
- Blood pressure is considered high if the systolic pressure is equal to or greater than 140 mmHg or if the diastolic pressure is equal to or greater than 90 mmHg.
In recent years, several studies have shown that exposure to air pollutants in large cities is linked to an increased risk of cardio-respiratory diseases, hospital visits and death. However, this work focused primarily on adults.
Research from King’s College London reveals that teenagers’ hearts are also challenged by fine particles and nitrogen dioxide in the air of urban areas.
Air pollution and blood pressure: girls are more affected
British researchers analyzed data collected during a study on the social well-being and health of adolescents living in London, called DASH. They examined the links between blood pressure and exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in 3,284 young people.
They found that significant exposure to nitrogen dioxide was associated with lower systolic blood pressure while increased PM2.5 levels led to higher systolic blood pressure. “These associations were stronger in girls than in boys”note the authors of the article published in the journal PLOS ONE on February 8, 2023.
In detail, an increase of 1 µg/m3 nitrogen dioxide was linked to a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 0.30 mmHg in adolescent girls and 0.19 mmHg in boys.
In addition, an increase of 1 µg/m3 of PM2.5 was associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure of 1.34 mmHg in girls and 0.57 mmHg for high school students.
On the other hand, the studies found no relationship between nitrogen dioxide or fine particles and diastolic blood pressure.
New studies to assess development impact
The researchers found that the associations between air pollutants and blood pressure were consistent regardless of ethnicity, height, or socioeconomic status. In addition, they noticed that 80% of the adolescents followed belonged to ethnic minority groups living in areas exposed to higher levels of pollutants than their peers.
They wish to carry out further studies to “help confirm and clarify these findings, especially among young people from different socio-economic backgrounds”. Professor Seeromanie Harding of King’s College London and author of the study, adds in her communicated that it is “urgent to carry out more studies of this type to gain a thorough understanding of the threats and opportunities for youth development”.
