PM2.5 fine dust pollution: Invisible killer

In this article, we will take a look at some scientific studies about the harms of fine dust PM2.5 when they enter the human body.

Studies in the most severe air pollution: China

Extremely small dust particles can destroy self-defense and immune mechanisms from inside cells.

According to the latest research by mainland scientists published by Tai Tan, tiny dust particles (fine dust PM2.5 are dust particles of 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller) can penetrate. human body cells, destroying the mechanism of self-defense and immunity from inside the cell. In addition to causing a variety of acute diseases, they are also toxic to important organs such as the lungs, heart, brain .

Scientists used ultrashort carbon black particles and metal ions to simulate fine dust PM2.5 in the experiment, they discovered that black carbon particles could absorb and carry metal ions into the lungs' organization. , demonstrating PM2.5 is toxic to the respiratory system.

This is the first time scientists have observed the phenomenon of PM2.5 being able to 'invade' into cells. The study was carried out by the biophysical laboratory of Shanghai Applied Physics Research Institute of the Mainland Chinese Academy of Sciences and recently published by the 'Carbon' international journal.

The characteristic toxic mechanism of PM2.5: Destruction of the body's immune cells

Human white blood cells.(Shutterstock).

According to the institute's website, after the black carbon particles carry a large amount of metal ions into the white blood cells (Macrophages) in the body, they will destroy the internal self-balancing mechanism. cells, causing dysfunction and lysosomes of the lung organization.

Autologous cells are a type of self-defense mechanism of the body: when the inside of the body appears bad proteins or starvation, self-made cells will self-digest harmful substances, support metabolism, generate energy. This study shows that the composition of PM2.5 fine dust will destroy this production mechanism, creating toxicity.

Absorbs many harmful substances into the body

This study shows that this toxic mechanism is characteristic of PM2.5 particles, completely different from PM10 and other types of pollution. Because PM2.5 is small in size and has a large total surface area, it is easier to absorb pollutants in the air, so its toxicity is stronger and more harmful than PM10.

Professor Truong Huu Binh, head of Beijing's Dong Nhan Hospital of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said toxins in the dust that enters the human body will cause emphysema (emphysema - a condition of alveolar wall injury). The lungs and alveoli lose their elasticity and retain air, causing lung stasis. This is one of the incurable symptoms and manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) .

PM2.5 in the blood can cause myocardial infarction

The size of fine dust and the possibility of damage of each type.(photos via SlideShare).

Mr. Truong Huu Binh said that PM2.5 is more pathogenic than PM10. Often, PM4.7-10 particles can only enter the nose and respiratory system, the body can cough itself to reduce the level of injury. But if smaller particles will enter the trachea and bronchi, even the bronchial end and blood, greatly affect health.

In addition, particles such as PM0.1, PM0.5, PM1, PM2.5 will penetrate into alveoli, affecting the gas exchange function of alveoli. Truong Huu Binh said, after entering the alveoli, they can cross the blood-gas barrier to enter the circulatory system and cause disease, even they can affect the system. nerve.

The head of the cardiology department of the People's Hospital of Peking University, professor of Dr. Ho Dai Nhat also shared that, in a dusty environment like 'buried mine' in the heart, 'in a short period of time can cause a normal, non-serious vascular occlusion to suddenly burst, creating a blockage, causing acute myocardial infarction ".

Rapid increase in mortality from heart disease and high blood pressure

The Harvard Public Health Academy's document has demonstrated that toxic substances in dust not only cause heart attack but also lead to anemia or heart muscle damage . The United States has surveyed 25,000 people with unwell heart or heart disease and found that after PM2.5 increased to 10 µg / m ³ , the death rate of patients will increase by 10% - 27%.

Professor of Public Health Academy of Beijing Medical University, Mr. Phan Tieu Xuyen stated in his thesis that: "PM2.5 increased by 10 µg / m ³ , the number of emergency patients due to high blood pressure will increase by 8%, cardiovascular diseases will also increase ".

In China every hour, 183 people die from dust and smoke.

Dust 'on the brain' or cause the brain to degenerate

In addition, a study published on the 'PNAS' week on 7/2016 has recently made the media as well as mainland Chinese people pay attention, creating a hot topic on weixin: Does the dust 'go to the brain'? or not?

The report, written by the team led by Lancaster Barbara, from Lancaster University in England, has found credible evidence that a large number of nanoparticles in the brain come from outside environments (ie. air pollution) not from human body itself. Professor Barbara Maher argues that these nanoparticles may be involved in brain degeneration.

Invisible murderer

On January 5, 2017, the program called 'China Dust made people choke, 180 deaths per hour' was broadcast on Russian television citing statistics published by 'The Economist' newspaper . this data shows that in China every hour, 183 people die from the dust, ie about 4,300 people die each day, 1.6 million per year.