Air pollution linked to risk of death in New Zealand

A study has found a link between long-term exposure to air pollution and risk of death in urban areas of New Zealand, a country with relatively low levels of air pollution.

The study also found some evidence that Maori (indigenous peoples of New Zealand) may have greater susceptibility to life-shortening effects of air pollution, likely due to a higher prevalence of pre-existing cardiorespiratory disease among the Maori population.

Source:
1. Hales S, Blakely T, Woodward A. Air pollution and mortality in New Zealand: cohort study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, published online 21 Oct 2010. (open access)

Air pollution linked to emergency hospital visits for hypertension

A study conducted in Beijing found that elevated concentrations of gaseous air pollutants were associated with emergency hospital visits for hypertension. The findings provide additional information about the health effects of air pollution, and may have implications for planning local environmental protection and public health interventions in China.

Source:
1. Guo Y, Tong S, Li S, et al. Gaseous air pollution and emergency hospital visits for hypertension in Beijing, China: a time-stratified case-crossover study. Environmental Health 2010; 9: 57. (open access)