FRIDAY FEB 15, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) - Using HEPA filters
to remove file particles or particulates from the air significantly improves
cardiovascular health in non-smoking elderly people, according to a study
published in the second issue for February of the American Journal of
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The study showed that using HEPA filters for just two days
significantly improved a key measure of cardiovascular health in healthy,
non-smoking elderly individuals.
HEPA filters are often used by health conscious consumers to
clean the indoor air.
Small particles
from various sources including smoke can damage cardiovascular health raising
risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, early studies have found.
"Reduction of particle exposure by filtration of
recirculated air for only 48 hours improved the microvascular function (MVF) in
healthy elderly citizens," said Professor Steffen Loft, M.D., D.M.Sc., of
the
Institute of
Public
Health in
Copenhagen.
"This suggests that indoor air
filtration represents a feasible means of reducing cardiovascular risk."
Abnormal function of the inner lining of small vessels is a
predictor of dangerous or possibly fatal cardiovascular events, according to a
statement released by the American Thoracic Society which publishes the
journal.
In the study, the researchers measured MVF and ambient
airborne particles in the homes of 21 non-smoking couples aged 60-75 who lived
close to heavily trafficked roads.
An
air filter was run with a HEPA filter for 48 hours and without a HEPA filter
for another 48 hours.
The participants were monitored for their MVF and their
blood and urine samples were analyzed to determine markers of inflammation, homeostasis
and oxidative stress.
"Our main finding was a significant improvement in the
function of small finger blood vessels after reduction of indoor air particles.
This effect most likely indicates a general improvement in the function of the
inner lining of small vessels, including those supplying the heart," said
Dr. Loft.
Air treated with a HEPA filter contains 60 percent less
ultrafine, fine and coarse air particles in homes, study showed. And the
treatment was associated with an 8.1 percent improvement in individual MVF.
"We expected that removing air particles with the HEPA
filters would result in improvement of MVF but we were heartened and surprised
by the extent it did, considering the modest levels of particles in the indoor
air of the homes of the elderly," said Dr. Loft.
But the researchers said they did not know the underlying
mechanism for the improvement in MVF.
