Air pollution has already been wreaking havoc over several countries, particularly in India and China. Respiratory illnesses and other lung related diseases have been on a rise due to increased pollution levels.
A new study has revealed that levels of air pollution-associated gases and traffic-related air pollution are related to facial dark spots formation. A striking change was seen on the cheeks of Asian women aged above 50 years.
As per Jean Krutmann, lead investigator from the IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Germany, along with PMs (particulate matter), increased concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) also characterizes traffic-related pollution.
People have been reported to have lung cancer along with observing low lung function due to exposure of Nitrogen Dioxide. However, the effects of the same on one’s skin had not been investigated until now.
Two groups were taken into consideration, the first group comprised of German women ageing between 67 and 80 years, with 20 percent having a history of smoking. Also, as per reports, these women spent 2.6 hours in the sun every day.
The second group had Han Chinese Women aging between 28 and 70 years. Here also, 20 percent had a smoking history. However, these women spent about 3.5 hours in the sun each day. The levels of Nitrogen exposure in the first group was 28.8 microgrammes per cubic metre and 24.1 microgrammes per cubic metre in the second.
While no correlation could be developed between the formation of dark spots on the forearms and the back of the hands, the exposure of Nitrogen Dioxide was closely related to dark spots formation on the cheeks of both Chinese and German women more than 50 years of age.
After performing a sensitivity test, it was found out that Nitrogen Dioxide had a stronger effect on the skin than the concentration of PM.
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