Air pollution thickens the blood
Scientists have long suspected heart disease to be the primary cause of death associated with air pollution, and have now shown that this is due to thickening of the blood and enhanced inflammation. MRC researchers tested the inflammatory and blood clotting responses of human immune cells, umbilical cord cells and lung cells to the small particles of ‘particulate matter’ in air pollution and found that these can alter cell function to promote blood clotting.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005; 62: 164-171