Air pollution linked to irregular menstruation

Air breathes in may be causing irregular menstrual cycles. Well documented negative health effects from air pollution exposure include infertility, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. This study is the first to show that exposure to air pollution among teen girls (ages 14-18) is associated with slightly increased chances of menstrual irregularity and longer time to achieve such regularity in high school and early adulthood.

While air pollution exposures have been linked to cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, this study suggests there may be other systems, such as the reproductive endocrine system, that are affected as well," said corresponding author Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD, MS, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine and a physician in obstetrics and gynecology at Boston Medical Center.

The menstrual cycle is responsive to hormonal regulation. Particulate matter air pollution has demonstrated hormonal activity. However, it was not known if air pollution was associated with menstrual cycle regularity, until now. The researchers used health and location data gathered in the Nurses' Health Study 2 plus air pollution exposure metrics from the EPA air quality monitoring system to understand a participants' exposure during a particular time window. They found exposure to air pollution in during high school was correlated with menstrual cycle irregularity.
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Air pollution may shorten telomers in babies

A study conducted before and after the 2004 closure of a coal-burning power plant in Tongliang, China, found children born before the closure had shorter telomeres than those conceived and born after the plant stopped polluting the air. Telomeres are specialized sections of DNA that allow chromosomes to be faithfully copied during cell division. However, with each round of cell division, telomeres shorten, resulting in a gradual loss of genomic stability. Shortened telomere length has been linked with cancer and heart disease, cognitive decline, aging, and premature death.

Led by Deliang Tang and Frederica Perera at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, the research team analyzed telomere length in the umbilical cord blood of 255 newborns, about half of whom were born before the plant closure and half conceived and born after. In babies born pre-closure, researchers found higher levels of PAH-DNA cord adducts, a biomarker for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , a toxic component of air pollution from coal plants.

 Elevated levels of these adducts in cord blood were associated with shorter telomeres-the first time this relationship has been tested as well as with lower levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), a protein involved in neuronal grown. However, telomere length was not associated with developmental score in the subset of 210 children tested at age 2, although the researchers say the finding doesn't rule out telomere length-related neurodevelopmental problems at later ages.

Individual's telomere length at birth is known to influence their risk for disease later during adulthood, high levels of air pollution in Tongliang prompted the government to shut down the local coal-burning power plant to improve community health. This action, announced in advance, provided a unique opportunity to compare data on ambient PAH levels, biomarkers, and health outcomes in two successive cohorts of children, with and without prenatal exposure to emissions from the coal-fired power plant.

In previously published research on these cohorts, the authors reported newborns born after the plant closure had lower levels of PAH-DNA adducts, lower rates of various health outcomes, and increased levels of BDNF. The new study adds to the evidence that closing this coal-burning power plant was beneficial to the health and future well-being of newborns there, reducing exposure to air pollution is recommended for pregnant women and infants.
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Air pollution linked to poor sperm quality

Air pollution, particularly levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is associated with poorer quality sperm. Although the size of the effect is relatively small in clinical terms, given how widespread air pollution is, this might spell infertility for a significant number of couples. Environmental exposure to chemicals is thought to be a potential factor in worsening sperm quality.

The international team of researchers looked at the impact on health of short and long term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) among men from 15 to 49 year old men. The men were all taking part in a standard medical examination programme between 2001 and 2014, during which their sperm quality was assessed (total numbers, shape/size, movement) as set out by World Health Organization guidelines.

PM2.5 levels were estimated for each man's home address for a period of three months, as that is how long it takes for sperm to be generated, and for an average of 2 years, using a new mathematical approach combined with NASA satellite data. A strong association between PM2.5 exposure and abnormal sperm shape was found. Every 5 ug/m3 increase in fine particulate matter across the 2 year average was associated with a significant drop in normal sperm shape/size of 1.29 per cent.

And it was associated with a 26 per cent heightened risk of being in the bottom 10 per cent of normal sperm size and shape, after taking account of potentially influential factors, such as smoking and drinking, age or overweight. However, it was also associated with a significant increase in sperm numbers, possibly as a compensatory mechanism to combat the detrimental effects on shape and size, suggest the researchers.

Components of fine particulate matter, such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, have been linked to sperm damage in experimental studies. Free radical damage, brought on by exposure to air pollutants, might have a possible role, as this can damage DNA and alter cellular processes in the body.
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High levels of air pollution increases the risk of heart attack

People with certain blood types are more likely to suffer a heart attack when exposed to high levels of pollution, people who have A, B, or AB blood types have an 'elevated risk', compared to those with the O blood type. Pollution is linked to a raised chance of a heart attack but it is the first time that the risk has also been linked to blood type.

The risk of a heart attack or chest pain doubled for people of type A, B, or AB blood when pollution hits high levels. In comparison, the risk rose by 40 percent for those with type O, according to researchers. The primary mutation we studied differentiates between O blood types and non-O, which includes positive and negative A, B, and AB blood types.

Dozens of genes have been shown in large international studies to predict the onset of coronary artery disease in people who are free of the disease. But the vast majority of people won't have a heart attack unless they already have coronary artery disease. Nor is a heart attack a certainty even with heart disease.

 A level of pollution at which the increased risk occurred for people with non-O blood types is threshold 25 micrograms of pollution per cubic metre. At levels higher than 25 micrograms per cubic metre of pollution, the increase in risk is linear, while below that level there's little if any difference in risk. During a winter inversion, the PM2.5 pollution level can occasionally reach as high as 100 micrograms per cubic metre, but 50 to 60 is more typical.

The researchers found that people with type O blood also have higher risk of heart attack or unstable chest pain in times of high air pollution. Their level of risk is much smaller, at 10 per cent instead of the non-O blood type's 25 per cent per 10 additional micrograms per cubic metre.
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Air pollution increases the risk of untimely death

Air pollution could cause brittle bone disease, according to new research. The study linked pollution exposure to low levels of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium production, leading to weaker bones and more hospitalizations for fractures. Smog-filled towns and cities have been linked to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory diseases such as asthma and dementia.

The pollutant particle was linked to higher levels of parathyroid hormone, a small rise in PM2.5 concentrations would lead to an increase in bone fractures in older adults. Those living in areas high in PM2.5 and black carbon from heavy traffic had lower levels of parathyroid hormone, which is key to building calcium, and less bone mineral density than others exposed to less of the pollutants.

Osteoporosis, the most common reason for a broken bone among the elderly, is a disease in which bones become brittle and weak as the body loses more bone mass than it can rebuild. Particulate matter, including PM2.5, is known to cause systemic oxidative damage and inflammation, which they suggest, could accelerate bone loss and increase risk of bone fractures in older individuals. Smoking which contains several particulate matter components has been consistently associated with bone damage.

Within a year of a bone fracture, death risks for older individuals increase by up to 20 percent, with only 40 percent regaining full independence. Vitamin B can reduce pollution fueled cardiovascular disease, and damage to DNA. The best way to prevent air-pollution-related diseases is through policies to improve air quality. Air pollution is considered the most important risk factor for mortality at the population level, it is also a risk factor for osteoporosis.
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Brain oxidative stress can cause migraine

Migraine are an integrated mechanism by which the brain protects and repairs itself. Migraine can be triggered by diet, stress, sleep disruption, noise and air pollution. It can increase brain oxidative stress, an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract their harmful effects.

Oxidative stress is a useful signal of impending harm because a number of unfavorable conditions in the brain can give rise to it, targeting oxidative stress might prevent or preempt migraines. An interruption in blood supply each of the components is protective: strengthening antioxidant defenses, lowering the production of oxidants, lowering energy requirements and, especially, releasing growth factors into the brain that protect existing neurons and support the birth and development of new neurons.

There are feedback loops between these components of a migraine attack that tie them together into an integrated system, migraine attacks are not triggered by oxidative stress, they actively protect and repair the brain from it. The pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound, fever and pain, or cough are not the disease itself but part of the body's defense against migraine.
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Links between environmental chemicals and breast cancer

Exposure to environmental chemicals, early in life, contributes to the development of breast cancer, there are more than two hundred chemicals that cause mammary tumors in animals and provided a roadmap for studying these chemicals in humans. Researchers conducted a systematic search and identified some epidemiology studies that exposure to chemicals early in life: in the womb, during puberty, and through pregnancy increases the risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

For instance, early exposure to DDT, dioxins, the highly-fluorinated chemical PFOSA, and air pollution, is associated with a two- to five-fold increased risk of breast cancer. Early exposure in the workplace to high levels of organic solvents and gasoline components is also a risk factor. During these windows of susceptibility, the body is changing, breast cells are dividing quickly, and the breast tissue becomes vulnerable to damage from chemicals. Variations in genes can also affect how people's bodies respond to certain environmental chemicals.

Among women exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs-a chemical in vehicle exhaust, those with certain genetic variants had a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC classified outdoor air pollution as a human carcinogen.

Some of the components of air pollution have been shown to cause breast tumors in animals. The use of chemicals in every day consumer products has also increased the risk of cancer. Many consumer product chemicals, like BPA and phthalates, are endocrine disruptors. They interfere with the body's hormones and can produce effects at low doses.

Results from animal studies suggest a link between breast cancer and endocrine disruptors. Breast cancer can take years to develop after chemical exposure, it is the most common cancer in women across the globe, pharmaceutical hormones, exercise, and other lifestyle factors can the risk of developing breast cancer. Consumers can take some steps to reduce their exposures by choosing safer products
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Air pollution can cause kidney disease

According to American Society of Nephrology, air pollution - even in small amounts can damage kidneys. Air pollution has been linked to heart disease, strokes, cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Inhaling tiny specks of dust, dirt, smoke, soot and liquids in polluted air move to the bloodstream, when kidneys are filtering the blood, the particles can damage them. Exposure to any amount of air pollution, no matter how small, can harm the kidneys the same way it harms other organs such as the heart and lungs.

Human kidneys filter out waste products from the blood before converting them into urine and also maintain blood pressure. Chronic kidney disease CKD is a long-term condition where the kidneys could not function properly.

The risk of CKD increases with age, CKD does not usually cause any symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. It can be detected early by blood and urine tests. The main symptoms of advanced kidney disease include tiredness, swollen ankles or hands, shortness of breath, nausea and blood in urine.

Those with the condition have a greater risk of having a stroke or heart attack. It can also cause kidney failure, when sufferers will need to have dialysis and transplant. Lifestyle changes and medication can stop it from getting worse if it's diagnosed at an early stage.
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How to detoxify lungs

Tobacco smoking is the major cause of lung disease, other causes are air pollution, dusts and lower respiratory infections.

Lungs are constantly exposed to killer pollutants and microbes that get deposited from the air inhaled from the atmosphere.

Smoking changes pink lungs into black, regular detoxification of lungs can reverse the colour and keeps the lungs healthy. Lungs can be detoxify by:

Putting end to smoking and exposure to smoke, nicotine and tobacco smoke can compromise lungs function and increase the risk of lung cancer.

Engaging in breathing exercises that promote deep breathing can detoxify the lungs. The exercise increases blood flow to the lungs.

Drinking enough water, ginger juice carrot juice and lemon juice supply blood to the lungs, this prevents bacteria infections.
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Diesel pollution can damage your heart

Diesel fumes alter the structure of the heart and increases risk of cardiovascular diseases.

They found those who lived in areas of high diesel air pollution were more likely to have an enlarged chamber on the left side of their heart.

If this left ventricle becomes too big the heart loses pressure and power.
This means it cannot pump as much blood, raising the risk of heart attack, heart failure and death.

Experts are aware of the impact of diesel fumes on human health, including the risk of asthma, dementia and cancer.