A connection between combustion-related air pollutants and risk indicators for cardio-vascular disease? A panel study linked to the measurement campaign at Vaexjoe in the Biofuel-Health-Environment program

The main aim of this study was to see if particles in ambient air is related to biological risk indicators of cardio vascular disease. The study was conducted during the winter and early spring 2003, within the framework of the Swedish Energy Agency's research program. The study was designed as a panel study with 40 participating females within the ages 25-66 years, all working at the local hospital. Based on continuous measurements of air pollutants and meteorological forecasts blood samples were taken at five occasions during days with predicted high or low pollution levels. Each blood sample were then analysed for the inflammatory markers fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP). The levels of inflammatory markers were analysed in relation to measured levels of PM2.5 and NO2, respectively. The analyses were made by calculating the ratio between each persons single values and their mean value based on all five measuring occasions. This was made for both of the two inflammatory markers. The ratios were then plotted and regressed against each of the studied pollutants. The results showed no evidence suggesting high pollution levels to be associated with high present levels on the studied markers at present levels