Particulate matter and nitric dioxide emissions from industrial plants or vehicles increase the risk of heart attacks, despite being within 'safe' levels of air pollution, a new study has claimed. The study examined the effect of short term exposure to air pollution on the risk of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This type of myocardial infarction (heart attack) has the worst prognosis and is caused by thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery that damages the heart.



