Small air polution particles dangerous to heart tissue

Air pollution is bad for human health -- there is little question about that. But, when it comes to the types of air particles in smog-ridden cities that are the worst for human health, how can types of air pollution be quantified in terms of negative health effects? Hint: on the tiniest level.

A new study out recently connected the smallest, measurable air pollution particles to hardening of the arteries in mice. Atherosclerosis was connected to ultrafine particulates by researcher Dr. Jesus Araujo and his team.

After measuring particulate levels (high, low, none) in three groups of mice, Dr. Araujo found that levels of the smallest particulates breathed in by mice in "dirty air" containers were two to six times higher than inside a typical car on a Los Angeles highway. If you live in LA (or have been there recently), the smog in the air is sometimes so thick it can be sliced with a knife.

The interesting finding here is that the group of mice subjected to only the smallest air particle levels developed the worst atherosclerosis. Food was constant between the three mice groups and no other variables were introduced into the observations.