There could be a link between air pollution and appendicitis, according to new research.  This (possible) link was discovered by scientists in Canada who drew up a comparison between local levels of air pollution and local hospital data.  Matches were found between cases of appendicitis and two particular air pollutants – nitrogen dioxide and ozone – with a male-heavy majority. 

In all, data relating to over 5,000 patients with appendicitis that entered a trio of hospitals in Calgary was assessed, over a time span of seven years.  Over 50 per cent of the admissions in question occurred during the summer – a time of year when local residents would likely favour outdoor living over living indoors and, therefore, be at most risk to the effects of air pollution. 

Health Effects of Air Pollution

This new report on one of the health effects of air pollution was produced by the University of Calgary, and appears in the current edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.  Those that compiled it it believe that their findings could have historical significance when previous appendicitis cases are taken into account.  

Appendicitis cases went on the ascent in line with increasing national industrialisation in the late 1800s/early 1900s.  While new air quality laws were soon ushered in and – these in place - the number of cases dropped, they rose again in tandem with further, recent industrialisation.

“For unexplained reasons, men are more likely than women to have appendicitis”, Calgary University’s Dr Gilaad Kaplan stated, adding:  “Men may be more susceptible to the effects of outdoor air pollution because they are more likely to be employed in outdoor occupations.”

Causes of Appendicitis

The reason for air pollution being one of the causes of appendicitis in particular might be because the pollutants cause inflammation, the scientists suggested. 

People living in the US or Canada have about an eight per cent chance of suffering from appendicitis at some point in their lives, according to medical research.  For this reason, appendectomies feature strongly among the range of surgeries performed at hospitals in North America. 

Enviro-News has covered the theme of air pollution and the way it can affect human health in a number of previous articles.  Earlier this month, we covered the issue of international air pollutants posing an increased health risk while, in September, we highlighted a possible link between air pollution and preterm birth.