Toxic air raises risk of high BP, states study

HYDERABAD: Air pollution at busy road junctions and high traffic density roads in Hyderabad is taking a toll on the health of people who spend long hours outside their homes. A research conducted in the city reveals that shortterm and long-term exposure to particulate matter in the air at traffic-congested stretches is leading to hypertension, or high blood pressure, and other respiratory ailments. Worst-hit from longterm exposure are roadside vendors and bus commuters from short-term exposure.

Doctors and paramedical staff of city-based NGO, Helping Hand Foundation (HHF), conducted tests on vendors and bus commuters at different locations in the city. The screening started on November 7. Areas covered included Mehdipatnam road intersection and Ryotu bazar, Rethibowli, Attapur, Nanalnagar, Langarhouz, Golconda and Gudimalkapur. People in more areas are being surveyed for a comprehensive report on the ill-effects of air pollution on the cardiac health of residents.





"Our study revealed that 35% people had mildly high blood pressure (140/90) and all of them have been on medication. About 15% of the people had high BP, but they were not aware. About 10% complained of respiratory diseases," said Helping Hand Foundation managing trustee Mujtaba Hasan Askari.

He said the study focused on both long-term and shortterm impact of exposure to air pollution. Two categories of people who are exposed to pollution for long hours have been selected. While one group included push-cart vendors and hawkers, the second group consisted of bus commuters. As part of the study, commuters were screened for hypertension and respiratory ailments at bus stops.

Askari said the data from the study will be used to counsel the targeted groups and ensure that they are on medication and reduce exposure to air pollutants.

"A recently-published study by the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension revealed that both shortand long-term exposure to air pollutants, commonly associated with vehicle exhaust, airborne dust and dirt, may influence if someone develops high blood pressure by inhaling these pollutants. The results showed that hypertension was significantly associated with short-term exposures to sulphur dioxide and particulate matter. It was also linked to long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide, which is produced from combustion, and particulate matter," Askari said.