Publications

Exposure to air pollutants and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis measured by magnetic resonance imaging: A cross-sectional analysis

Authors: S. M. Azab, D. Doiron, K. M. Schulze, J. R. Brook, M. Brauer, E. E. Smith, A. R. Moody, D. Desai, M. G. Friedrich, S. I. Bangdiwala, D. Zeraatkar, D. Lee, T. J. B. Dummer, P. Poirier, J.-C. Tardif, K. K. Teo, S. Lear, S. Yusuf, S. S. Anand, R. J. de Souza.

The researchers examined how long-term exposure to air pollution affects early signs of heart disease. They used data to explore whether low levels of air pollutants are linked to the thickening of artery walls. The study included 6,645 adults from five Canadian provinces and estimated their exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over several years. Using MRI scans to measure carotid artery wall thickness, the researchers found mixed results. Higher levels of ozone were linked to thicker artery walls, suggesting a potential negative effect, while higher nitrogen dioxide levels were associated with thinner artery walls, a finding that requires further investigation.