Air Pollution and Blood Pressure: Evidence From Indonesia.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Indonesia experiences significant air quality challenges from urbanization and agricultural practices, including peatland fires.
• Previous research primarily focused on acute fire impacts, neglecting the chronic effects of ambient air pollution on cardiovascular disease biomarkers.
• Understanding the link between daily air quality and hypertension is crucial for public health in Indonesia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between daily exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and blood pressure levels in Indonesia.
• To identify potential differences in this association across age groups.
• To contribute novel evidence on the cardiovascular implications of long-term air pollution exposure in a Southeast Asian population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS5).
• Daily PM2.5 concentrations were simulated using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model.
• Mixed-effects models were employed to assess the association between PM2.5 exposure and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, adjusting for covariates and accounting for clustering.

Main Results:

• An interquartile range increase in monthly PM2.5 exposure was associated with a statistically significant increase in diastolic blood pressure (0.234 mmHg).
• This association was more pronounced in individuals aged 65 and older, showing a significant increase in both diastolic (1.16 mmHg) and systolic (1.90 mmHg) blood pressure.
• No significant association was found for fire-specific PM2.5, possibly due to data collection timing and location.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first evidence in Indonesia linking ambient PM2.5 exposure to elevated blood pressure.
• Older adults appear to be more vulnerable to the hypertensive effects of air pollution.
• Findings underscore the importance of addressing chronic air pollution as a cardiovascular risk factor in Indonesia.