Living near Trees May Prevent Vascular Damage from Pollution

Previous studies have shown that proximity to green space—trees and other vegetation—can lower blood pressure levels and the risk of heart disease. A number of environmental factors may come into play, including increased opportunity for outdoor exercise, reduced mental stress and socioeconomic status. However, the relationship between vascular (blood vessel) health, green space and air pollution has not been fully explored.

Living near trees may prevent vascular damage from pollution. Photo: Dan Visan/Unsplash

In this new study, researchers looked at the arterial stiffness of adult volunteers with co-occurring conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, that put the volunteers in the moderate-to-severe risk category for heart disease.

Using study participants' residential addresses and data from the US Geological Survey and local Environmental Protection Agency monitoring stations, the research team analyzed environmental factors where the volunteers lived, including:

Vegetation index, including the amount of and variation in greenness levels within 200-meter and one-kilometer (0.62 miles) radii around each volunteer's home.

Particulate matter, tiny toxic particles invisible to the naked eye, in the air.

Levels of ozone, a colorless, toxic gas and significant air pollutant.

At times when the particulate matter and ozone levels were high, participants had higher levels of arterial stiffness, however, those who lived in areas with more flora had better blood vessel function. Trees and other greenery offset vascular dysfunction that air pollution causes, the researchers explained.

In previous work, the researchers found that individuals who live in areas with a large amount of greenness show lower exposure to volatile chemicals and have greater household income.

In the current study, they explored the relationships between greenery, air pollution and arterial stiffness and found a similar correlation between the US Geological Survey's normalized difference vegetation index and average household income.

Even when adjusting for self-reported lifestyle habits such as exercise and smoking—70% of the volunteers were nonsmokers—the researchers found that "the effects of green spaces on hemodynamic function are largely independent of median household income, physical activity levels and tobacco use." (Tasnim News Agency)

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