High Blood Pressure from Fine Dust

In May 2010, researchers from the University of Duisburg-Essen led by Barbara Hoffmann published a study examining the relationship between fine dust and blood pressure. For this purpose, the background exposure to fine dust in the Mülheim, Essen, and Bochum region (600 square kilometers) was calculated based on actual measurements. These data were compared with data from 4,814 people aged 45 to 75 who participated in a long-term study on heart diseases between 2000 and 2003 as well as 2006 to 2008. Detailed data on health status and possible risk factors (smoking, diabetes, weight, Body Mass Index, diet, lack of exercise ... ) were available.

The researchers were able to accurately calculate the risk factors. Even noise exposure on busy streets, which is also known to increase blood pressure, was taken into account.

The result of the study was astonishing: For every 2.4 micrograms of fine dust exposure in the air, blood pressure increases by 2 mmHg. This could explain the higher susceptibility to high blood pressure in people living in urban areas compared to residents of rural areas. The effects occur even at fine dust exposures below the currently valid limit values.

Even toner dust from laser printers or copiers counts as fine dust and can contribute to an increase in blood pressure in the office at high concentrations.

American researchers came to very similar results. They observed residents of a nursing home in Detroit. The location of the home is considered polluted in terms of fine dust. Residents were provided with fine dust filters without filters, with low-efficiency, or high-efficiency HEPA filters. After a certain period, the filters were switched, so that each resident had each version in their room for some time. The filters ran for three days each. During this time, personal fine dust exposure was measured using a body-worn filter. 80 percent of the participants were taking medication for high blood pressure.

It was found that particularly the systolic blood pressure was most significantly lowered during the phase when the low-efficiency filter was used. The high-efficiency filter was not far behind. However, the reduction was only significant among overweight participants in the study. Normal-weight subjects benefited significantly less from a fine dust filter.

Many suitable filters are available on the market. It is also important to ensure that the filter is suitable for the size of the room.

A study published in 2023 showed, in addition to the already known impairments caused by fine dust, a negative impact even during relatively short car trips of 2 hours during peak traffic in an American city. Trips of young adults were compared, who alternated between using a built-in HEPA filter and not using one. This filter removed about 86% of the fine dust particles from the air flowing into the car. It was found that blood pressure was 4.5 mmHg higher systolically and 4.7 mmHg higher diastolically one hour after trips without a filter compared to trips with a filter. The increase in blood pressure could even be detected 24 hours after the unfiltered trip: the diastolic blood pressure was still 3.8 mmHg higher, and the systolic was still 1.1 mmHg higher.

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By Sabine Croci. This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (04/2024).
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High Blood Pressure from Fine Dust

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