High Blood Pressure Risk Linked to Pollutant

Exposure to tellurium, transported from mining, increases hypertension risk

The risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension, is higher among individuals with higher levels of tellurium in their bodies, according to recent research. Tellurium is a pollutant that is transported from mining and manufacturing activities into food sources, such as rice and wheat.

The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, examined the relationship between tellurium levels in urine and blood pressure among adults in Japan. The researchers found that individuals with the highest levels of tellurium in their urine had a 20% increased risk of developing hypertension compared to those with the lowest levels of tellurium.

The mechanism by which tellurium increases blood pressure is not fully understood, but the researchers believe that it may be related to tellurium's ability to interfere with the body's production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a molecule that helps to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

The findings of this study suggest that exposure to tellurium may be an important risk factor for hypertension, a condition that affects more than 1 billion people worldwide.