Long term exposure to air pollution linked to coronary events - BMJ video

You can read the research study at the BMJ website: http://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.f7412



Throughout the world particulate air pollution is estimated to cause 3.1 million deaths a year and 22% of disability adjusted life years (DALY) due to ischaemic heart disease. Several cohort studies have reported that long term exposure to air pollution is associated with mortality, in particular cardiovascular mortality.

The ESCAPE Study (European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects) was conducted between 2008 and 2012 to quantify the associations between exposures and health outcomes. The study design included prospective cohort studies and meta-analysis of the results. The cohorts were in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Italy.

100,000 people were enrolled and followed for 11 years. Participants were free from previous coronary events at baseline.

A 5 μg/m3 increase in estimated annual mean PM2.5 was associated with a 13% increased risk of coronary events, and a 10 μg/m3 increase in estimated annual mean PM10 was associated with a 12% increased risk of coronary events.

Long term exposure to particulate matter is associated with incidence of coronary events.

Sunscreen with high SPF needed at high altitudes: 8-10% increase in sun exposure for every thousand feet of elevation

Golfers playing in Vail, Colorado, at 2500 meters (roughly 8200 feet) above sea level, got significantly more burn protection from sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 70+ compared to one with an SPF of 15.

There is 8-10 percent increase in sun exposure for every thousand feet of elevation. In the summertime, you can get anywhere from 40 percent to 50 percent greater sun intensity than at sea level.

References:
Sunscreen with high SPF needed at high altitudes, Reuters.

What sunscreen to use for children?

Study confirms sunscreen prevents melanoma http://goo.gl/16Vqd

Can You Get Sunburned Through a Car Window? http://goo.gl/M7Fwv - No, but penetrating UVA rays may be related to left-sided skin cancers.

Related:

Melanoma - JAMA Patient Page illustrates the ABCDE of diagnosis, 2011.

Image source: Amazon, for illustration only, not a suggestion to buy any products.
Only 25% of Children Wear Sunscreen Regularly. WebMD, 2012.