Cosmic ray (neutron) activity and air pollution nanoparticles - cardiovascular disease risk factors - separate or together?

Background: In the last decade, a number of studies were published showing links between cardiovascular events such as stroke (CVA), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), sudden cardiac death (SCD) and cosmic ray activity (CRA) marker neutron activity on the Earth's surface (imp/min). A number of concomitant studies described air pollution fine particles as a similar risk factor. It is not clear which way each of the mentioned factors acts on the way of affecting the human body. The aim of this study is to present separate data of these two factors as risk factors and to discuss the possibility of seeing the nanoparticles polluting our air as carriers of neutrons on their way to the human cardiovascular system.

Methods: Many studies of our groups and groups studying air pollution effects were revised, and the possibility of combined action of both factors was considered.

Results: It is known that neutrons on the Earth surface are the markers of CRA. CRA is inversely related to space weather parameters such as solar (SA) and geomagnetic activity. The presumed way of biological action of neutrons is connection with H+ and, as protons, attack on our cells and tissues. The way of action of nanoparticles is explained by specific physical and chemical action of the materials they represent. It is a strong possibility that one way to connect H radicals in the human body is that particles are neutron carriers and can be absorbed in different parts of the body and then affect the systems of human body.

Conclusions: The combined action of CRA (neutron) activity is a possible way of affecting the environment. The precise mechanism of this cooperative action demands additional studies.