Health Tips

SIZE MATTERS The smallest particles from vehicle emissions may cause atherosclerosis, a new study led by UCLA researchers has revealed Circulation Research. Researchers exposed mice with high cholesterol to air pollutant particles from car emissions and compared them with mice that received filtered air with very few particles. Mice exposed to the smallest particles exhibited 55 per cent more atherosclerotic-plaque development than those that breathed filtered air. Researchers theorize that tiny pollutant particles may "deactivate" the protective effects of HDL("good") cholesterol. The findings indicate that new technology needs to be developed to further investigate the particles contribution to adverse health events.