Cardiorespiratory effects of ultrafine particles

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Very high levels of air pollution kill people. Although air quality is quite good in most Australian cities, the levels of particles are still too high. There are many sources of particles in the air including diesel vehicles and wood fires. There is a National Environment Protection Measure for particles less than 10 thousandths of a millimetre in diameter. However some recent overseas studies have suggested that tiny particles less than 0.1 thousandths of a millimetre might have the greatest effects on the heart and lungs. We will conduct the first Australian study of the health effects of these tiny particles. Particle counts will be measured in Melbourne by CSIRO using state of the art equipment. Two groups of older subjects will be recruited: patients with chronic lung diseases such as emphysema and patients with heart disease. They will perform regular breathing tests and-or have the electrical activity of their hearts recorded. The recordings will be analysed to detect small variations in heart rate. If we find relationships between particle counts and lung function or heart rate variability, this will provide new evidence of the health effects of air pollution. When the NEPMs are revised, new measures may be required for tiny particles. Particle counts can then be reduced by measures such as better controlling diesel exhaust and more efficient wood stoves.