Particulate Air Pollution And The Blood

This study investigated the relationship between particulate air pollution and blood parameters in older adults. The study measured personal exposure to PM10 in 112 adults aged 60+ in Belfast and Edinburgh over 18 months. Personal PM10 exposure was estimated using diaries and models. Blood samples were taken every 4-6 weeks and related to personal PM10 exposure over the previous 3 days as well as city-wide PM10 levels. Higher personal and city-wide PM10 exposures were associated with lower hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and platelets, as well as higher C-reactive protein. This suggests PM10 exposure may cause peripheral sequestration of red blood cells, providing an explanation for cardiovascular effects of air pollution.