Does anyone on this forum have information or experience of the potential impact of high levels of particulate matter PM2.5 from air pollution on ET condition? I do not have a medical or scientific background. However as someone with ET deeply concerned I am being exposed to additional serious health risks from high levels of indoor air pollution specifically PM2.5 leaking into my home from the source in a neighbouring rental property.
A recent article of September 2022 outlines the background:
‘Airborne particulate matter (PM) comprises both solid and liquid particles, including carbon, sulphates, nitrate, and toxic heavy metals, which can induce oxidative stressand inflammation after inhalation. These changes occur both in the lung and systemically, due to the ability of the small-sized PM (i.e. diameters ≤2.5 μm, PM2.5) to enter and circulate in the bloodstream. As such, in 2016, airborne PM caused ∼4.2 million premature deaths worldwide.
Prolonged exposure to PM can increase the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases affecting the brain, lung, heart, liver, and kidney, although the latter is less well studied.
sciencedirect.com/science/a...
The reason for my concern is that oxidative stress and inflammation can follow PM inhalation when it enters the bloodstream after exposure. This is the common mechanism of PM-induced disease due to air pollution. What is not clear is the additional burden such exposure places on those with an existing haematological condition such as ET or indeed any MPN condition in this forum. Could prolonged exposure exacerbate my existing ET or trigger other inflammatory related conditions? Is there any evidence for this?
This question relates to a real situation, not in my control, where leakages from a neighbouring rental property were initially identified as Marijuana & cigarette smoke by smell. Using a air purification machine merely to eliminate this smell automatically identified very high to severe levels of PM2.5 & PM 10, some for prolonged periods, which were recorded by the machine. To eliminate machine readings error this week purchased a second air purification machine which has confirmed high to severe readings for PM2.5
Alarmed to see in one instance off the graph PM 2.5 readings of 999 and readings regularly reach high and very high and severe for prolonged periods in my home. This occurs in very close proximity only feet from my living and sleeping areas, where I spend prolonged periods. Proximity to the source of PM appears to be a key factor in the level of exposure to PM2.5.
Smoking by the inhabitants may be one of a number of factors, including cooking or heat sources contributing to the regular high readings of PM from the rental property next door.
Until very recently I was aware only in theory of PM risks in the context of outdoor air pollution. PM is invisible and has no smell. Shocked to find this level of PM present indoors due to leakages from the rental property next door which shares what appears to be a defective party wall with my home. This level of PM equates to severe outdoor air pollution levels in the most polluted cities in the world where you are advised to retreat for safety indoors when these levels of air pollution occur, obviously not an option when the pollution is indoors in your home.
In summary as someone with a blood related condition ET anxious at being exposed to serious additional high health risks from exposure to PM 2.5 from high levels of indoor air pollution. This is because PM2.5 is known to enter the bloodstream and cause oxidative stress and inflammation which may lead to serious health conditions and in some cases to premature death.
Apologies for the lengthy post. Any information, insight or advice from the participants of this forum would be greatly appreciated.