Why air pollution may be costing Hongkongers a good night’s sleep
US study finds exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide from vehicle exhausts and fine-particle PM2.5 pollution reduces your chances of enjoying a good night’s sleep in Hong Kong and elsewhere
High levels of air pollution over time may hinder a good night’s sleep, according to new research.
“Prior studies have shown that air pollution affects heart health, breathing and lung function, but less is known about whether air pollution affects sleep,” says Martha Billings, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington.
“We thought an effect was likely, given that air pollution causes upper airway irritation, swelling and congestion, and may also affect the central nervous system and brain areas that control breathing patterns and sleep.”
The researchers analysed data from 1,863 participants (average age 68) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (Mesa) who also enrolled in both Mesa’s sleep and air pollution studies.
Air pollution here to stay unless the economy is rebalanced
The researchers looked at two of the most common air pollutants: NO2 (nitrogen dioxide, a traffic-related pollutant gas) and PM2.5, or fine-particle pollution. Using air pollution measurements gathered from hundreds of Mesa Air and Environmental Protection Agency monitoring sites in six US cities, plus local environment features and sophisticated statistical tools, the research team was able to estimate air pollution exposures at each participant’s home at two times: one year and five years.