Written by Jenny Catton
Do you regularly suffer from sore throats and breathlessness? Well, if you spend time walking, jogging or cycling alongside busy roads, traffic fumesmay be to blame.
Experts have found that high levels of air pollution may even increase the chances of having a heart attack for up to six hours after being exposed to traffic pollution. Researchers analysed almost 80,000 heart attack patients, looking at the level of pollution to which the individual was exposed before the heart attack. The study, conducted by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, revealed that poor air quality was linked to a rise in heart attacks during the six hours after exposure.
Some people are more sensitive to air pollution than others and people with respiratory diseases or heart conditions should avoid exercising in areas where air quality is particularly poor, such as in cities or alongside busy roads.
Cyclists
One group which may experience the ill-effects of poor air quality more than others is cyclists as riding or sitting in amongst exhaust fumes can cause sore throats and shortness of breath. Of course one answer is to find a quieter route with less traffic but if this is not possible, there are many cycling masks on the market which may help ease the problem. These masks work by filtering the fumes that the cyclist breathes in. The colour of the filter can change from white to black with just a few days use – showing just how much dirt and fumes you would otherwise be breathing in.
Joggers
People jog in a bid to be healthier but if you are breathing in traffic fumes, you could be doing more harm than good. Some studies have even shown that jogging in busy areas with high volumes of traffic could cause mental decay. For example, researchers in Belgium discovered that people who exercise outdoors in city environments scored more poorly on cognitive tests than those who exercised outdoors in the suburbs. They believe that the city environment’s high levels of air pollution prevent exercisers from benefitting fully from the positive effects of jogging.
In another study, scientists found that exposure to high levels of air pollution could result in decreased brain power in people aged 50 and over.
Babies
Many people are now questioning what effect traffic fumes could have on babies – even before they have been born. Studies have been conducted to look at the links between premature birth and air pollution as well as whether being exposed to exhaust fumes whilst in the womb could lead to an increase in autism.
And of course, with most pushchairs being at the same level as car exhausts, there’s little wonder that many parents worry about young children breathing in traffic fumes.
More research is being studied to analyse the risks but in the meantime, the message seems to be that whilst exercise and fresh air is undoubtedly good for our health, it’s best to exercise in quieter areas away from traffic fumes whenever possible.
If you’d like to walk, jog or cycle away from busy roads, look out for clubs in your local area which you could join to exercise with a group of people.
