Exposure to Fuels, Fumes, Solvents, Lubricants, and Hydraulic Fluids and Heart Disease Risk
Yes, exposure to fuels, fumes, solvents, lubricants, and hydraulic fluids can cause heart disease through multiple pathophysiological mechanisms, with strong evidence linking these exposures to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Mechanisms and Evidence for Cardiovascular Effects
Air Pollution and Particulate Matter
Exposure to particulate matter and chemical fumes affects cardiovascular health through several mechanisms:
- Autonomic Nervous System Effects: Particulate matter from fuels and fumes disrupts cardiac autonomic tone, affecting heart rate variability 1
- Endothelial Dysfunction: Chemical exposures directly impair endothelial function and promote arterial stiffness
- Increased Thrombogenicity: Exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes increases platelet activity and reduces fibrinolytic activity 1
- Myocardial Ischemia: A randomized crossover study demonstrated significantly increased ischemic burden following exposure to diesel exhaust compared to filtered air 1
Specific Chemical Exposures and Cardiovascular Outcomes
Metalworking Fluids
- Oil-based metalworking fluids have been strongly linked to ischemic heart disease mortality
- Research shows that limiting exposure to metalworking fluids could have saved many life-years lost to cardiovascular diseases in exposed workers 2, 3
- A study of autoworkers found that banning oil-based fluids would have saved an estimated 4,003 life-years among those who died of ischemic heart disease 2
Solvents and Combustion Products
- Occupational exposure to organic solvents has been associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction 4
- Long-term occupational exposure (>5 years) to soldering fumes was associated with a 3-fold increased lifetime prevalence of myocardial infarction (OR 3.0,95% CI: 1.6-5.8) 5
- Welding fumes (OR 2.1,95% CI: 1.05-4.2) and plastic fumes (OR 8.3,95% CI: 2.6-27.0) were also significantly associated with myocardial infarction 5
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- PAHs, common components in many fuels and combustion products, show a clear exposure-response relationship with fatal ischemic heart disease
- Workers with the highest average benzo(a)pyrene exposures had a 64% increased risk of fatal IHD (RR 1.64,95% CI: 1.13-2.38) 6
- This association persisted even after accounting for potential confounding by smoking 6
Exposure Timing and Risk
The cardiovascular effects of exposure can be both immediate and long-term:
- Short-term exposure to particulate matter has been associated with ventricular arrhythmias within 2 hours (OR 1.31,95% CI: 1.00-1.72) 1
- Traffic exposure has been linked to a 2-3 fold increased risk of myocardial infarction within 1 hour of exposure 1
- Long-term occupational exposure shows cumulative effects, with higher lifetime exposures associated with greater cardiovascular risk 2, 3, 6
Clinical Implications and Risk Reduction
According to major cardiovascular organizations (World Heart Federation, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and European Society of Cardiology):
- Air pollution and chemical exposures should be recognized as modifiable cardiovascular risk factors 1
- Healthcare providers should integrate exposure assessment into cardiovascular disease management 1
- Personal protective measures can reduce risk, including:
Conclusion
The evidence strongly supports a causal relationship between exposure to fuels, fumes, solvents, lubricants, and hydraulic fluids and increased risk of heart disease. These exposures should be considered significant modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, particularly for those with occupational exposure or pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.