Study: inhalation of black carbon affects the lungs

Health and Medical

NEW YORK [Reuters Health] – Small particles of black carbon, usually caused by burning diesel, are associated with an increase in the size of small peripheral blood vessels in the lungs, according to a recent scientific study. "MedicalXpress".

For the first time in a new study published in the European Respiratory Journal, researchers found that exposure to diesel pollutants at relatively low levels could contribute to minor changes in the lungs that could make people more susceptible to chronic lung disease, the third leading cause of death worldwide.

The differences observed in people exposed to higher levels of black carbon were similar in size to those associated with smoking a pack of cigarettes daily for 15 years, the researchers said.

"Some previous studies have suggested a link between air pollution and pulmonary circulation, but we wanted to assess whether there was a link between chronic exposure to air pollution and the structure of air pollution," said lead author Dr Curry Pestenma Aron, associate professor at Columbia University in New York, Vascularity of the lungs ".

The analysis showed that exposure to a higher level of black carbon is associated with increased volume of blood vessels in the vicinity of the lungs.

"Our findings suggest that long-term exposure to carbon black may affect pulmonary circulation," Dr. Aaron said.

air pollution