Dossier Environment | Observatoire de la prévention de l'Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal

Harmful effects of plastics on cardiovascular health

12 April 2024

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According to an Italian study, the presence of plastic particles in carotid artery plaques in patients was associated with a higher risk of death or major cardiovascular events, compared to patients whose plaques did not contain plastic.

Extreme heat and wildfire smoke, a harmful combination for health

18 March 2024

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Dr Martin Juneau, M.D., FRCP

Hospitalizations for cardiac and respiratory conditions increased particularly when heatwaves and smog episodes caused by wildfires occurred at the same time.

Noise, a little-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease

15 September 2023

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Dr Martin Juneau, M.D., FRCP

Several epidemiological studies report that prolonged exposure to traffic noise is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The benefits of “forest bathing” on psychological well-being

31 August 2023

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Dr Louis Bherer, Ph. D., Neuropsychologue

The health benefits of “forest bathing” (shinrin-yoku) were recently evaluated in an umbrella study.

Walking in the forest has positive impacts on the brain

12 December 2022

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Dr Louis Bherer, Ph. D., Neuropsychologue

A study reports that an hour of walking in the forest is associated with a significant decrease in the activity of the amygdala, the area of the brain involved in the stress response.

Harmful health effects of exposure to “Forever Chemicals”

8 July 2022

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Dr Martin Juneau, M.D., FRCP

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nicknamed “Forever Chemicals” because of their very high stability, and which are used in everyday consumer products (e.g., cosmetics, packaging), can have harmful effects on human health.

Phthalates: A component of certain plastics and cosmetic products harmful to human health

23 November 2021

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Dr Martin Juneau, M.D., FRCP

A recent study indicates that exposure to phthalates is associated with a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

Will cultured meat soon be on our plates?

22 September 2021

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Dr Martin Juneau, M.D., FRCP

Lab-grown meat could one day replace meat from livestock farming, but there is still significant progress to be made before this becomes possible.

Environmental impacts associated with food production

7 September 2021

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Dr Martin Juneau, M.D., FRCP

All the studies unequivocally show that a reduction in environmental damage caused by food production necessarily requires a reduction in the consumption of animal products, in particular those from cattle farming.

The impact of forest fires on human health

31 August 2021

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Dr Gabrielle Denault, M.D.

From British Columbia to the island of Evia, wildfires are increasingly part of the global landscape. The health impacts of these blazes on global health are unequivocal. Here is an overview of a natural phenomenon exacerbated by climate change.