According to a new review published in Nature Reviews Cardiology, pesticides, heavy metals, microplastics, nanoplastics, and harmful chemicals in the soil pose significant risks to our cardiovascular health. This article summarizes how pollution in soil and water impacts human health and discusses the widespread occurrence of these pollutants, particularly regarding their association with cardiovascular diseases.
Here are the main takeaways from the publication:
- Chemical pollution in soil, water, and air accounts for around 9 million premature deaths each year, which is about 16% of all deaths globally; notably, half of these fatalities are related to cardiovascular issues.
- Soil degradation endangers the health of at least 3.2 billion individuals, or 40% of the world’s population. Additionally, over two billion people (25% of the global population) reside in nations severely impacted by water pollution.
- Major sources of soil and water pollution include deforestation, climate change, airborne particulates, excessive fertilization, and poorly planned urban areas.
- Pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides, and micro- and nanoplastics contribute to cardiovascular harm by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupting normal circadian rhythms.
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals (including heavy metals, solvents, dioxins, and pesticides) from workplaces, consumer products, or environmental contamination is linked to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.
The main authors of the study, Prof. Dr. Thomas Münzel, Senior Professor, and Prof. Dr. Andreas Daiber, Head of the Molecular Cardiology Research Group at the University Medical Center Mainz, noted, “Soil contamination is a far less visible health threat compared to polluted air. However, growing evidence suggests that pollutants in both soil and water can adversely affect cardiovascular health through mechanisms central to atherosclerosis, such as vascular inflammation, heightened oxidative stress, and disruption of the body’s natural rhythms, leading to vascular dysfunction which can initiate or exacerbate atherosclerotic disease.” They emphasized the need for cardiologists to consider environmental factors that may elevate their patients’ risks.
The risks posed by airborne dust pollution, often referred to as Sahara or desert dust, are also gaining attention. Studies estimate that roughly 770,000 deaths from cardiovascular issues annually are linked to dust pollution. “Unfortunately, climate models indicate that the prevalence of this airborne dust is expected to increase, alongside a decline in air quality as global temperatures rise,” stated Prof. Dr. Jos Lelieveld from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry.
The authors argue that managing soil and water pollution is essential for lowering cardiovascular risks. Strategies such as enhancing water filtration, managing air quality, and following sound agricultural practices can help reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Initiatives like the European Commission’s vision for zero pollution by 2050 are designed to significantly lower pollution levels, foster healthier ecosystems, and alleviate the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
Other essential measures include promoting sustainable urban planning, minimizing the reliance on harmful pesticides, and strengthening environmental regulations globally, all of which aim to address the roots of soil and water pollution. These actions are crucial for safeguarding ecosystems and public health, particularly in reducing pollution-related cardiovascular diseases.
This international research team comprises authors from various esteemed institutions: Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz (Thomas Münzel, Omar Hahad, and Andreas Daiber), Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany (Jos Lelieveld), Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA (Michael Aschner), Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain (Mark Nieuwenhuijsen), and the Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Boston, MA, USA (Philip Landrigan).
