Biking in the city is more harmful than walking
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Scientists from the University of London have denied the usefulness of cycling around the city for health.
The study involved 10 healthy non-smoking people aged 18 to 40 years. Five of the participants preferred walking around the city, the other five usually cycling.
For several years, scientists have taken lung tissue samples from bronchioles and examined macrophage cells that are located on the surface of the alveoli and capture foreign agents.
The result of the study showed that the presence of soot, namely, nitric oxide and carbon black, in the lungs of cyclists is more than 2.2 times that of people who preferred to walk. It should be noted that recent studies have proved the role of carbon black in the development of lung diseases, heart attacks and lung cancer.
Scientists have linked the data to the fact that the pace and depth of breathing of cyclists are higher than those of pedestrians. The second reason is frequent driving near car flows, where the concentration of exhaust gases is much higher than in pedestrian areas.
This report was presented at the annual congress of the European Lung Society in Amsterdam.
[