Pollution 'increases risk of pneumonia in older adults'
Elderly members of society may want to invest in some home oxygen equipment after new research found a link between poor-quality air and an increased risk of pneumonia.
Scientists from McMaster University in Canada, writing in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, revealed that long-term exposure to traffic emissions puts older adults at a higher risk of developing the condition.
The researchers said breathing in high levels of PM2.5 and NO2 for a year or so increases the chances of people being hospitalised with pneumonia, which could encourage people to invest in home oxygen equipment to battle the effects.
"Our study found that, among older individuals, long-term exposure to traffic pollution independently increased their risk of hospitalisation for pneumonia," principal investigator Dr Mark Loeb said.
Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis recently called for action on tackling the levels of pollution in Port Talbot to improve living conditions for those in the area who carry portable oxygen canisters.
Posted by Daniel Ohio
24/12/2009 11:53:23
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