Cardiac arrest rates 'elevates' with daily high pollution levels

A new study has suggested that cardiac arrest rates are higher a few days after increased levels of several air pollutants.

The study analyzed the relationship between daily air pollution levels and cardiac arrest rates. The study included 559 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Okayama City between 2006 and 2010.

According to the study, there was a 40 percent increase in risk 72 to 96 hours after days with higher ozone levels and the effects of increased particulate pollution were greater in older patients, while increased ozone levels had a greater effect in younger patients. Particulate pollution showed a greater effect in men.

Dr Takashi Yorifuji of Okayama University concluded that the evidence presented provides further support for the hypothesis that exposure to outdoor air pollution increased the risk of cardiac arrest and the results suggested that particulate matter and ozone may induce cardiac arrest via "two distinct pathways".

Yorifuji added that exposure to particulate pollution may result in myocardial infarction, while ozone may worsen other cardiac conditions, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest.

The study is published in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.