City cyclists are at increased risk from lung injury from inhaled soot (compared to pedestrians)

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/elf-cca092311.php

Public release date: 25-Sep-2011

Contact: Lauren Anderson
[e-mail]
31-610-860-810
http://www.european-lung-foundation.org/">European Lung Foundation

City cyclists are at increased risk from lung injury from inhaled soot

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: People who cycle through London and other major cities have higher levels of black carbon in their airway cells, experts from the UK have shown.

The research, which will be presented at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Amsterdam today (25 September 2011), suggests that cyclists inhale more black carbon than pedestrians, which may cause damage to the lungs.

…

The results showed that in this small sample, cyclists have 2.3-times more black carbon in their lungs when compared with pedestrians. The probability that this difference occurred by chance is less than 1 in 100.

Dr Chinedu Nwokoro, one of the researchers of the study and an active cyclist, said: "The results of this study have shown that cycling in a large European city increases exposure to black carbon. This could be due to a number of factors including the fact that cyclists breathe more deeply and at a quicker rate than pedestrians while in closer proximity to exhaust fumes, which could increase the number of airborne particles penetrating the lungs. Our data strongly suggest that personal exposure to black carbon should be considered when planning cycling routes. Whether cycling by healthy individuals is in itself associated with adverse health effects is currently being assessed in a larger ongoing study."

[Historic NY]

1. Just about ever vehicle is diesel powered in the city....

I got sick a few years back in London from the fumes. The weather was so cold then that the fumes just hugged the pavement in the city. I was coughing up black and blowing black soot from my nose.