Sooty Air May Increase Blood Clots in Legs

Breathing polluted air for a long time may increase the risk of blood clots in the legs, a study suggests. The study looked at data on 870 people who had been diagnosed with these blood clots. They were compared with 1,210 people who did not have a clot. Researchers collected data on air pollution in areas where the people lived. Blood clots were more likely in high-pollution areas. For every 10-unit increase in soot particles, the risk rose 70%. The study was published May 13 in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.