Roadside Traffic Emissions and Lung Transplants

The impact of traffic air pollution on bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and mortality after lung transplantation (Abstract, Tim S Nawrot, Robin Vos, Lotte Jacobs, Stijn E Verleden, Shana Wauters, Veerle Mertens, Christophe Dooms, Peter H Hoet, Dirk E Van Raemdonck, Christel Faes, Lieven J Dupont, Benoit Nemery, Geert M Verleden, Bart M Vanaudenaerde, Thorax, British Medical Association, Mar. 23, 2011)

Also discussed here: Road Traffic Pollution Doubles Risk of Rejection After Lung Transplant (Science Daily, Mar. 24, 2011)

Today’s review summarizes research into the impact of roadside emissions on those who have undergone lung transplants. Although this is a small segment of the population, the sensitivity of health damage from living near heavy traffic is clear.

Key Quotes:

“Approximately half of all patients who underwent a lung transplantation suffer from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), the clinical correlate of chronic rejection, within 5 years after transplantation”

“Those who lived within a 171 metre radius of a main road were twice as likely to develop the syndrome and more than twice as likely to die as their peers who lived further away from this source of pollution.”

“for every 10-fold increase in distance from a main road, patients were 43% less likely to develop the syndrome and 28% less likely to die”

"These population attributable fractions are significant not only in terms of patient suffering but also in terms of healthcare costs,"

"Traffic related air pollution appears to constitute a serious risk ... If confirmed by other studies, [it] has substantial clinical and public health implications."

Related articles

• Road traffic pollution doubles risk of rejection after lung transplant (eurekalert.org)
• High Smog Levels Might Threaten Lung Transplant Success (nlm.nih.gov)
• Diesel Emissions and Lung Damage (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)