Traffic fumes can open the door to illness
● Air pollution harms the human immune system, new study reveals
Breathing in toxic traffic fumes could make people more vulnerable to colds, flu and other more serious infections, new Scottish research has shown.
Scientists at Edinburgh Napier University have for the first time found evidence of a link between congested streets and illness.
Experiments have revealed that nano-sized particles found in vehicle emissions can damage the immune system’s ability to kill viruses and bacteria such as e-coli and MRSA.
The findings could have serious implications for human health.
Studies focused on antimicrobial peptides – tiny molecules found in the immune system that increase in response to infection.
The researchers recently discovered peptides have viruskilling properties that could prove crucial in developing a cure for the common cold.
However, the latest work suggests microscopic particles found in air pollution can prevent peptides functioning properly.
This suggests people living in highly polluted areas will be more vulnerable to infections and less able to fight them off.
“This is an area of research that is very poorly understood,” said study director Dr Peter Barlow, associate professor of immunology and infection at Edinburgh Napier.
“We were extremely concerned when we found that air pollution particles could inhibit the activity of these molecules, which are absolutely essential in the fight against infection.”
He added: “It hadn’t been reported before that air pollution can stop your immune system working, and that’s why it’s so concerning.
“We simply didn’t realise that air pollution could do this, so it has massive implications.”
He says the findings show urgent action is needed to tackle the problem.
Traffic-derived air pollution has been linked with cancer, allergies, asthma, strokes, heart attacks, restricted foetal development and the onset of dementia. It is estimated to cause the early death of 2,500 Scots each year.
Scotland now has 38 pollution zones, where air quality safety standards are regularly exceeded. Some of the worst contamination is found in Hope Street in Glasgow and St John’s Road in Edinburgh.
Air pollution campaigners say the latest findings back up a “mountain of evidence” showing traffic fumes are a major health hazard.
Emilia Hanna, of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Levels of toxic pollution are breaking both European and Scottish regulations on air quality in all our major cities, posing a threat to our health – in particular the health of those whose bodies are still developing. “
The Scottish Government’s Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy includes introduction of the first low-emission zone.