Filtering fumes could reduce heart attacks

A simple diesel exhaust trap could reduce the risk of heart attacks in traffic-heavy areas. University scientists have shown that 'particle traps' dramatically reduce the negative effects of diesel fumes on the heart and circulation and might reduce heart attack risk. Study. The researchers, funded by the British Heart Foundation, examined the effects of diesel fumes at levels common in heavy traffic on the roads of the UK's largest cities. They found that after breathing unfiltered diesel fumes, blood vessels did not function normally in a group of 20 healthy volunteers for some time afterwards. Our results suggest that if all diesel powered vehicles had particle traps fitted, heart attacks could be avoided Dr Andrew Lucking Centre for Cardiovascular Science - Filtering fumes. The researchers showed this harmful effect of diesel fumes on the blood vessels could be prevented by first passing the fumes through a particle trap.