Impact of traffic pollution: study reveals increase in blood pressure

A study conducted by the University of Washington in Seattle reveals that the main cause of significant increases in blood pressure is not sitting for hours on end in a congested highway, but rather exposure to traffic-related gasses. Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in December 2023, the study examined the effects of traffic pollution on cardiovascular health.

In the initial phase of the study, diesel fumes were introduced into a closed room with approximately 40 participants, resulting in a notable increase in blood pressure. Subsequently, the study moved to the streets of Seattle, where three different routes were traversed over a two-hour period amidst heavy traffic. Two of these journeys did not utilize air filters, while the third employed HEPA devices to filter the air.

The results showed that during the unfiltered journeys, increases in blood pressure were similar to those observed in the controlled laboratory environment, reaching nearly 5 millimeters of mercury. Although the study was small with only 13 participants providing usable data, it was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health, underscoring its scientific relevance and potential impact on public policy.