Pollution, inflammation, and endothelial damage.

This article points out the link between air pollution and damage to the endothelial cells of healthy young adults: “These findings suggest that living in a polluted environment could promote the development of high [BP], heart disease and stroke more pervasively and at an earlier stage than previously thought,” said Aruni Bhatnagar, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Louisville, in a press release. “The finding that [fine particulate matter in air pollution] could also affect even seemingly healthy individuals suggests that increased levels of air pollution are of concern to all of us, not just the sick or the elderly.”