Thursday, January 17, 2008

Auto Pollution Linked to Heart Disease



Radio News Item...

January 17, 2008

Report: Heart Disease is "In the Air" in CA

Los Angeles, CA – Keeping heart disease at bay may
include not only watching what you eat and avoiding
smoking – but avoiding air pollution, too, according
to a report released today (Thursday). The study finds
that the smallest particles of pollution from cars and
trucks trigger plaque build-up, and deactivate the
protective qualities of good cholesterol, increasing
the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Comments from
UCLA School of Medicine Director of Environmental
Cardiology Dr. Jesus Araujo, one of the study authors.

Intro: Eat heart-healthy foods, don’t smoke… and don’t
breathe in California to reduce the risk of heart
attack and stroke. A study released today (Thursday)
shows nano-sized particles from car and truck
pollution trigger circulatory system problems, and may
help explain heart disease and strokes in people who
otherwise seem healthy. UCLA researcher Dr. Jesus
Araujo...

"The ultra-fine particles that are most abundant in
urban settings, like Los Angeles, are the most
damaging components in triggering plaque build-up in
the arteries."

Dr. Araujo says the particles also cause damage by
deactivating the protection that “good cholesterol”
provides. He says the particles are the size of a
virus and too small to be captured by filters, so more
research is needed to come up with a way to keep the
pollutants out of the air.

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