Indoor Air

Heart Attacks Linked to Short Bursts of Air Pollution

High levels of air pollution can trigger heart attacks in at-risk people
exposed for even a short time. Harvard University researchers interviewed 772 Boston area patients about four days after their attacks and found that the onset of symptoms correlated
with times of high daily air pollution. The new study is the first to examine short-term effects on the heart, said author Murray Mittleman, director of cardiovascular epidemiology at
Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Previous studies have shown that fine particles, small enough to bypass the body’s defenses and get into the lungs and other tissue, cause inflammation and blood clotting. Researchers hypothesize that these symptoms may contribute to heart attacks by blocking flow of blood through the heart.

The results appeared in Circulation, a journal published by the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2001;103:2810. The American Heart Association [circ.ahajournals.org/] publishes the full
article online. This entry was posted on Monday, October 1st, 2001 at 10:26 pm and is filed under 2001. http://www.cleanairstandards.org/article/2001/10/35

Is the Air Unhealthy to Breathe Today?, June 2001

About 200 real-time, or continuous, air quality monitors for fine particles (PM2.5) have recently been deployed in urban areas in the United States. There are several different technologies for monitoring real time fine particle concentrations, and no federally specified reference method. Thus results from these monitors are not used to measure compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The continuous monitors for fine particles typically measure lower concentrations of fine
particles than conventional filter monitors because of the loss of volatile species. EPA maintains a website that provides links to state and local sources of real-time air quality monitoring data, forecasting, maps, and webcams: http://www.epa.gov/airnow/.

Eco-Friendly Tips

Disinfect and deodorize the toilet bowl in a flash!

Sprinkle the sides with baking soda, let sit for a few minutes, then drizzle with vinegar.

Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.