The study outlines the grave consequences of chemical pollution in soil, water, and air, which are estimated to cause around 9 million premature deaths each year, accounting for 16% of global deaths, with cardiovascular diseases making up half of these fatalities. The health of approximately 3.2 billion people, or 40% of the worldwide population, is jeopardized by soil degradation, while over two billion individuals reside in countries severely impacted by water pollution. Contributing factors to this extensive pollution include deforestation, climate change, airborne dust, excessive fertilizer use, and poorly planned urban areas. Heavy metals, pesticides, and micro- and nanoplastics in the environment contribute to cardiovascular problems by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation and disrupting circadian rhythms.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals like heavy metals, solvents, dioxins, and pesticides, whether encountered in workplaces, through consumer products, or indirectly via environmental contamination, leads to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. Professors Thomas Münzel and Andreas Daiber from the Department of Cardiology at University Medical Mainz emphasize that soil contamination may not be as visibly alarming as air pollution. Still, its impact on cardiovascular health is significant. They point out that pollutants in soil and water can trigger inflammation in blood vessels, increase oxidative stress, and disrupt the body’s natural clock, all of which play critical roles in the atherosclerotic process that could initiate or worsen atherosclerotic disease.
The dangers of airborne dust, particularly dust from deserts like the Sahara, are also highlighted as significant contributors to cardiovascular mortality, with approximately 770,000 deaths annually attributed to this cause. Prof. Jos Lelieveld of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry warns that climate change models predict an increase in airborne dust and a deterioration in air quality as the planet warms, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive environmental strategies to combat these effects.
To combat the risks associated with soil and water pollution, the authors suggest crucial interventions such as improving water filtration systems, enhancing air quality management, and adhering to sustainable agricultural practices. These efforts, if implemented effectively, could significantly reduce pollution levels, foster healthier ecosystems, and decrease the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. This aligns with the European Commission’s vision for zero pollution by 2050, offering hope for a healthier future.
Promoting sustainable urban design and reducing harmful pesticides are also essential steps towards addressing the root causes of environmental pollution. Strengthening global ecological regulations is vital to effectively tackle these issues, ensuring that ecosystems are protected and public health is preserved, particularly from the cardiovascular risks posed by pollution.
Overall, the review underscores the need for cardiologists and health professionals to consider environmental factors that could influence their patients’ cardiovascular risk. It also empowers them to advocate for a broader approach to healthcare that incorporates environmental health. The study serves as a call to action, urging the audience to use their influence to reduce environmental pollutants that have a profound impact on global health, particularly through mechanisms like vascular inflammation and oxidative stress that significantly contribute to cardiovascular diseases.
More information: Thomas Münzel et al, Soil and water pollution and cardiovascular disease, Nature Reviews Cardiology. DOI: 10.1038/s41569-024-01068-0
Journal information: Nature Reviews Cardiology Provided by Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
