Study Finds Air Pollution Ages Lungs Faster, Increases Risk Of COPD

NEW YORK – A new study found air pollution does a lot more damage to lungs than scientists previously realized.

Researchers used data from the UK Biobank and found exposure to particle pollution ages lungs faster than normal; and puts people at higher risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease also known as COPD.

The lung function of more than 300-thousand people who were exposed to higher levels of air pollution long-term between 2006 and 2010 was tested.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, particle pollution is the mix of solid and liquid droplets in the air like dirt, dust, soot, or smoke.

It comes from coal and natural gas-fired plants, cars, agriculture, unpaved roads, and construction sites.

You can read more about the study in Monday’s European Respiratory Journal.