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FRIDAY, June 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Long-term black carbon exposure is associated with a larger peripheral total pulmonary vascular volume measured on noncontrast chest computed tomography (TPVVCT<\/sub>), according to a study published in the June 1 issue of the European Respiratory Journal<\/i>.<\/p>\n Carrie P. Aaron, M.D., from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City, and colleagues examined whether long-term ambient air pollution exposure is associated with differences in pulmonary vascular volumes. Personalized long-term exposures to ambient black carbon, nitrogen dioxide (NO2<\/sub>), oxides of nitrogen, fine particulate matter (PM2.5<\/sub>), and ozone were estimated. TPVVCT<\/sub> was measured; to isolate smaller vessels, peripheral TPVVCT<\/sub> was limited to the peripheral 2 cm. Data were included for 3,023 participants; 46 percent were never smokers.<\/p>\n The researchers found that the mean peripheral TPVVCT<\/sub> was 79.2 \u00b1 18.2 cm\u00b3 and mean TPVVCT<\/sub> was 129.3 \u00b1 35.1 cm\u00b3. Larger peripheral TPVVCT<\/sub> was seen in association with greater black carbon exposure, including after adjustment for city (mean difference, 0.41 cm\u00b3 per interquartile range). Similar associations were seen for peripheral TPVVCT<\/sub> with NO2<\/sub>, but these associations were not significant after city adjustment; the correlations for PM2.5<\/sub> were of similar magnitude but after adjustment were not significant.<\/p>\n “Our findings suggest that long-term exposure to black carbon may impact the pulmonary circulation,” Aaron said in a statement. “No previous research has looked specifically at whether these changes in humans lead to disease, so we cannot say for certain how this may be affecting health.”<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical and health care industries.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n