Fine dust contamination Tiny little disease makers with a high health risk

It has long been known that air pollution represents a major health risk. Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of myocardial infarction due to particulate matter. The risk of atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis) and other diseases, such as the lungs, is also increased. It has long been no longer just Asian metropolises in which there is a significant health risk for the population.
Fine dust alarm in German city
With heavy air pollution and the resulting health hazards, many initially think of Chinese megacities or other major cities in Asia. But even in our latitudes and under the local climatic conditions, the situation is often dramatic. Austrian researchers calculated last year Europe's cities with the highest particulate matter pollution in the future. One of them is Stuttgart. Recently, a particulate matter alarm was triggered there for the first time. Commuters were encouraged to leave their car. In many places, high levels of particulate matter are also measured in winter. The health hazard is omnipresent.

Fine dust is dangerous to health. Picture: bluedesign - fotolia

Every year 35,000 dead by air pollution
Every year, around 35,000 Germans die as a result of air pollution, an international research team recently reported in the journal Nature. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are approximately seven million deaths worldwide each year. According to expert Feinstaub, the most harmful part is how the "Hamburger Abendblatt" reports in a recent article. The fine particles are usually only about a ten-thousandth of a millimeter (0.1 microns) in size and not visible to the naked eye. But these very fine bits are especially dangerous.

Badly filtered diesel exhaust
Although the tiny particles usually remain invisible in the air, in certain weather conditions they form a kind of haze. "In Germany, most industrial gases from farms and power plants cause particulate matter," Dr. Andreas Meyer, head of the lung cancer center of the hospitals Mariahilf in Mönchengladbach according to the "Hamburger Abendblatt". On busy roads, in addition to the abrasion of tires, brakes or the road surface especially badly filtered diesel exhaust gases is the problem. "Inside, smoking and secondhand smoke are the number one source of danger," says Meyer.

Tiny particles enter the bloodstream
Fine dust is also dangerous because the tiny particles enter the bloodstream via the smallest lung vessels. With less than 0.1 microns they are so fine that they are no longer caught by the nasal hairs. "Increasing particulate matter pollution in the environment causes health problems," said Drs. Kaid Darwiche, internist and pulmonologist in the West German lung center Ruhrlandklinik. "Risky is also the connection of the particles with carcinogenic substances," added Andreas Meyer, "in this country, there is no limit for particulate matter such as for ozone or sulfur dioxide."

Respiratory tract infections and cardiovascular diseases
The physician Meyer explained: "We pulmonologists note that many people with respiratory tract infections in the clinics report at a high particulate matter." And his colleague Darwiche said: "Through the particles can develop into the bronchi inflammation, which is also on other organs. "In this context, chronic bronchitis is one of the most common diseases. Because the particles can pass through the bloodstream into the heart, severe coronary artery calcifications, heart muscle inflammation or heart attacks are possible consequences. Even small amounts of fine dust can be dangerous. This is also shown by studies.

Dr. Dennis Wolf of the Department of Cardiology and Angiology of the University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, explained in the article of the newspaper: "We could show in mice that even a single particulate matter burden leads to larger and more inflammatory heart attacks." The doctor According to the report awarded for his research by the European Society of Cardiology.

Children and the sick particularly at risk
Some groups of people are particularly at risk. "At fine dust concentrations, the healthy adults do not notice, children can develop acute bronchi," said Darwiche. "And the situation of people with bronchial problems or asthmatics can worsen significantly." To protect yourself, you could drive according to experts to the sea or in the mountains and, of course, let the smoking. Respirators usually help little or no professionals, according to experts. Basically, more needs to happen socially in order to curb air pollution.

Extend constricted bronchi by inhalation
If it comes to illnesses due to air pollution, cardiac patients are recommended to discuss an individual therapy strategy with the cardiologist. And people with respiratory diseases can be helped by pulmonary surgeons in a first step by inhaling to dilate constricted bronchi. "When acute chronic bronchitis (COPD) worsens, sometimes cortisone also has to be used. And if the mucous membranes no longer perform their defense function, antibiotics may be necessary, "said Meyer. According to Darwiche, pulmonary emphysema is also a possible consequence of particulate matter pollution. "This means that patients can no longer exhale properly. Your lungs, which is bloated as a result, can be "vented" using new therapy procedures - such as through specifically used valves. "The doctor advises in parallel to build muscle by strength training, to counteract the muscle loss. (Ad)