Air Pollution, Inflammation and Cerebrovascular Disease - A Hypothesis
Bengt Sjögren
Occupational Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Corresponding author: Dr Bengt Sjögren
Occupational Toxicology
Institute of Environmental Medicine
Karolinska Institutet
P.O. Box 210
SE-171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
Telephone: +46 8 728 64 00
Fax number: +46 8 31 41 24
CEJOEM 2001, Vol.7. Nos.3-4.:186-194
Key words:
Air pollution, cerebrovascular disease, farmers, fibrinogen, glassworkers, interleukin-6, metals, miners, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and stroke
Abstract:
This paper discusses the possible association between air pollution and cerebrovascular
disease. In the mid 1990s a theory was launched that both urban and occupational air pollution
may induce alveolar inflammation, with release of mediators such as fibrinogen capable of
increasing blood coagulability and cause cardiovascular disease. This hypothesis is expanded and
some evidence linking occupational and urban air pollution to the occurrence of cerebrovascular
disease are presented. Results from some studies of occupations (farmers, miners, glassworkers)
and chemical exposures (metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) illustrate this hypothesis. It
should, however, be tested by case-referent studies in geographical areas where occupational dust
exposure is common. Comparing the levels of indicators of blood coagulability such as fibrinogen
would also be needed in particle-exposed and non-exposed workers with control for possible
confounders such as smoking habits.
Received: 02 February 2001
Accepted: 10 February 2001
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