New research on Utah’s Wasatch Front found a link between high air pollution and more post-surgical complications. The study appears in Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica and analyzed data from 49,615 non-emergency surgeries.
Researchers combined measurements from EPA and state air sensors with satellite data to estimate PM2.5, the fine particles that affect the lungs. They estimated pollution at each patient’s home for the week before surgery.
When PM2.5 was above the EPA daily exposure limit in the week before surgery, the researchers found an increase in post-surgical complications. The authors say more research is needed to know which specific complications rise.
Difficult words
- pollution — harmful or dirty substances in the airair pollution
- complication — a medical problem after a treatment or operationcomplications
- estimate — to calculate a value from available dataestimated
- satellite — a machine in space that sends data to Earth
- sensor — a device that measures things like air qualitysensors
- exposure — being near something that may be harmful
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you want hospitals to check air pollution before an operation? Why or why not?
- If air pollution is high the week before surgery, what could a patient do?
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