Pollution linked to heart attacks
By Tom Lawrence
Wednesday, 21 September 2011S
Breathing in heavy amounts of traffic fumes can trigger a heart attack, according research by British scientists.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found the chance of suffering an attack increased by 1.3% in the six hours after coming in contact with high levels of vehicle-related pollutants. (Independent)
1.3%? I expected a higher number from the stress of being in traffic.
This also doesn’t mention the fact that this means effectively you are more likely to have a heart attack during the day when you are doing something rather than at night when you are sleepuing. I expect Londoners go out at least twice a day, so 6 hours is absolutely enormous window of time, up to 3/4 of a day if you go to work, go out for lunch, and come home afterwards.
It’s like they aren’t even trying.