New research has linked “Air Pollution Nanoparticles” to brain cancer for the first time. Acute and chronic exposure to the nanoparticles known as ultra-fine particles (UFP’s) has also be found to be linked to a host of other diseases and may be damaging our genes, organs, and cells.
Ultra-fine particles (UFPs) or nano particles are nanometer (nm) or smaller-sized particles of substances which are ordinarily innocuous which now at this size can elicit toxicity due to the altered chemical and physical properties, leading to potentially detrimental consequences for the producer, consumer or environment. One of the most generators of UFC’s is the burning of fossil fules, particularly in diesel generators and vehicles. The discovery of abundant toxic nanoparticles from air pollution especially in human brains was made begiining in 2016. A comprehensive global review earlier in 2019 concluded that air pollution may be damaging every organ and virtually every cell in the human body.
UFP’s can be low solubility, low toxicity materials such as TiO2, carbon black and polystyrene beads, which have been linked to a variey of health issues and diseases. Another UFP’s that has the potential to create great harm is, Magnetite, a strongly magnetic mineral which is often accompanied by other nanoparticles containing other metals, such as platinum, nickel, and cobalt. This form of magnetite has been implicated in the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) in the human brain, which are associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. Additionaly, while it is still debated whether the response of brain magnetites to external magnetic fields – such as the Earth’s own magnetic field – can cause health damage, Dr Imad Ahmed, from Oxford University’s Department of Earth Sciences believes that the outstanding chemical and electrochemical reactivity of magnetites’ surfaces may be the key link to a range of neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and epilepsy.
Another mechanism that UFP’s may harm the body is that our “Immune cells think a [pollution particle] is a bacteria, go after it and try to kill it by releasing enzymes and acids.” “Those inflammatory proteins spread into the body, affecting the brain, the kidneys, the pancreas and so forth. In evolutionary terms, the body has evolved to defend itself against infections, not pollution.” “The main reason for the far-reaching damage from air pollution is systemic inflammation”, said Prof Dean Schraufnagel, at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Diseases associated with acute and chronic exposure to UFP’s (air pollution). This may not be a complete list, but what has been identified at this writting:
- Air pollution can affect how genes function (A Negative Epigenetic Influence)
- Increases in Childhood Obesity
- Leukemia
- Cancers, Including Bladder, Bowel, Lung, and Brain
- Mental Health Problems, such as Autism and Reduced Intelligence)
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, such as Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Epilepsy
- Strongly Linked to Low Birth Weight in Babies
- Fertility is Reduced and Miscarriages Increased
- Skin Ageing, Hives
- Osteoporosis
- Increase Risk of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Poor Sleep (Altered Circadian Rhythm)
- Stunted Lungs
- Strokes
- Asthma and Emphysema
- Increased Risk of Heart Attacks as Arteries Narrow and Heart Muscle Weakens
The mechanism of the disease process above is due to the fact than these UFP’s induce oxidative stress and affect specific genes in a negative fashion. This leads to inflammation and may result in exacerbation of preexisting respiratory and cardiovascular disease, as well as contributing to the development or exacerbation of a wide-variet of other diseases. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly found a positive correlation between the level of particulate air pollution and increased morbidity (disease) and mortality (death) rates in both adults and children.
Simple blood lab tests, through Labcorp, can help to determine if inflammation (tissue damage, oxidative stress, infection) is present in the body – CRP-Hs, Fibrinogen, and Interleukin 6 (IL-6). Combined with other labs a complete picture can be created to show how one’s lifestyle and environment is affecting their body. This is also used to determine what steps need to be taken in order to optimize one’s body through lifestyle and environmental modifications. If you would like to find-out if your body is being damaged by an increased level of inflammation or how to increase your innate ability to quench free radicles (redox potential), I offer a 15 minute complementary to see if what I can offer in the way of healthcare is right for you – 714-639-360.
Research used for this blog Revealed: air pollution may be damaging ‘every organ in the body’, Air Pollution and Noncommunicable Diseases, Toxic air pollution nanoparticles discovered in the human brain, Air pollution, ultrafine and nanoparticle toxicology: cellular and molecular interactions, and Air pollution nanoparticles linked to brain cancer for first time
The ‘header photo’ for this blog is reproduced with greatful acknowegement to The University of Oxford News. Published online, 2016-09-07.