Running, Walking, & Air Pollution

Posted by Paul A. Heckert Sep 16, 2007

A study on the effects of diesel exhaust on cardiovascular risk was just published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study used twenty men with heart disease who had survived heart attacks.

The subjects exercised while breathing both clean air and diesel exhaust. Diesel exhaust contains particulates, believed to be the most harmful air pollution. The pollution levels were comparable to heavy traffic and the world's largest polluted cities.

The results indicate that while exercising and breathing the polluted air, the men's hearts were getting an insufficient blood supply - a possible trigger for another heart attack.

Should fitness walkers and runners stop exercising? Absolutely not! The benefits of exercise to cardiovascular health are far greater than the possible risk from pollution. The study also used people with existing heart disease.

It is however prudent to take steps to reduce exposure to polluted air. Walkers and runners with no previous history of heart disease who live in relatively unpolluted areas probably need no modifications to their exercise routines. Those living in areas with polluted air can modify their exercise routines to minimize their exposure to air pollution.

Doing laps around a truck stop with lots of diesel exhaust is a bad idea. Seriously, avoid running and walking routes near heavy traffic. Also avoid the times of day, like rush hour, when the traffic is heaviest.

Those living in large cities with an air pollution problem can exercise early in the morning when pollution levels are lowest. Exercising indoors on the worst pollution days is also an option.

If you live in an area with bad air pollution, don't stop walking or running because you fear the risks of breathing polluted air. Modify your exercise program to minimize your risk.