TUESDAY, May 13, (News Locale) - That air pollution poses constant health hazards to humans and animals alike is not news. However a new study has linked pollution to the formation of dangerous blood clots called deep vein thrombosis in the legs. 

The Italian study led by Dr. Andrea Baccarelli of the Harvard School of Public Health, involved 870 residents of the Lombardy who did not have deep vein thrombosis. A further 1,210 people without DVT acted as control.

The researchers found that risk of deep vein thrombosis increased by 70 percent in people who were exposed to pollution that increased particulate matter of 10 micrograms per square meter. The details are reported in the May 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Below are some questions and answers related to this study and its implications on human health:

What is air pollution?
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, "Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as particles."

What are the health hazards of air pollution?
The symptoms of exposure to air pollution include chest tightness or cough. Some people are more sensitive than others and develop signs of exposure very quickly.

People who have heart disease like chest pain are especially sensitive and need to be careful.  Patients suffering from lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema are also at risk of developing symptoms very quickly.

What does the present study say?
The present study says that exposure to the tiny, dirty particles in  air can lead to fatal blood clots in the leg called deep vein thrombosis.

What is deep vein thrombosis?
According to the National Institutes of Health, " The swelling of a vein caused by a blood clot is called thrombophlebitis. A clot in a deeper vein, called deep vein thrombosis, can break loose and cause a serious problem in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism, or a heart attack or stroke."

What are the risk factors for DVT?
The NIH states
Sitting still for a long time can make you more likely to get thrombophlebitis. Some medicines and disorders that increase your risk for blood clots can also lead to thrombophlebitis.

What is the treatment for DVT?
Medicines that break up clots and prevent new clots from forming are the key to treating DVT. Furthermore doctors will also prescribe moist heat to the affected area, which is mostly the thigh of the lower leg area. If you are sitting for a long time, it is advised to stretch your legs and drink plenty of fluids.

What has been the reaction to the present study?
Dr. Robert D. Brook, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan wrote in an accompanying editorial that the study made a strong case connecting deep vein thrombosis to air pollution.

"If future studies corroborate their findings and address some of the limitations, it may be proven that the actual totality of the health burden posed by air pollution, already known to be tremendous, may be even greater than anticipated," Brook said.

What precautions must consumers take to avoid exposure to pollution?
* Limit outdoor activities during the day especially if you suffer from heart or lung disease
* Stay indoor during peak times when pollution is at its highest
* Do not exercise or exert yourself in conditions that are not ideal
* If it is imperative you go out, try to conduct outdoor activities after sunshine

Note: The above article is for informational purposes only. News Locale is not liable if the information is misused in any manner. Consult your doctor for best results.