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Participants were trained to collect <strong>the</strong>ir own data to facilitate<br />

frequent measurements at <strong>the</strong>ir homes, where <strong>the</strong> air pollution exposures<br />

occurred. Each participant served as his or her own control, as <strong>the</strong><br />

researchers compared each participant's blood pressure during times <strong>of</strong><br />

high and low air pollution. This approach eliminates <strong>the</strong> possibility that<br />

age, sex, race or o<strong>the</strong>r difference among participants can cause differences<br />

in <strong>the</strong> results.<br />

What did <strong>the</strong>y find?<br />

The reports <strong>of</strong> odors were associated with elevated diastolic blood<br />

pressure (DBP). DBP is <strong>the</strong> bottom number in a blood pressure reading<br />

and measures pressure on <strong>the</strong> arteries between heartbeats.<br />

DBP increased by almost 2 millimeters <strong>of</strong> mercury (mmHg) during<br />

periods <strong>of</strong> very strong odor compared to no odor.<br />

Hydrogen sulfide was associated with elevated systolic blood<br />

pressure (SBP). SBP is <strong>the</strong> top number in a blood pressure reading and<br />

measures <strong>the</strong> pressure on <strong>the</strong> arteries when <strong>the</strong> heart beats.<br />

A 10 part per billion (ppb) increase in hydrogen sulfide resulted in an<br />

increase <strong>of</strong> nearly 3 mmHg for systolic pressure.<br />

Levels <strong>of</strong> particulate matter were not associated with increases in<br />

blood pressure.<br />

Odor effects were largest among men and participants over 53.7 years<br />

old. The effects <strong>of</strong> hydrogen sulfide were greatest among those who<br />

struggled to cope with stress and did not take blood pressure medication.<br />

Medication is expected to minimize effects since <strong>the</strong> drugs partially<br />

control blood pressure changes. Blood pressure levels were also linked<br />

with reported levels <strong>of</strong> stress at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> measurement.<br />

What does it mean?<br />

Airborne hydrogen sulfide and strong smells from animal feeding<br />

operations can affect blood pressure in those who live nearby. Both<br />

physiologic responses to <strong>the</strong> chemical pollution and <strong>the</strong> stress <strong>of</strong> living<br />

with chronic and frequent unpleasant odors may contribute to changes<br />

seen in blood pressure following low and high pollution incidents.<br />

This is <strong>the</strong> first study to examine <strong>the</strong> health effects <strong>of</strong> air pollution<br />

exposures from industrial livestock facilities on blood pressure. Blood

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