High blood pressure from fine particulate matter
The researchers were able to control precisely for the risk factors. They even took into account noise exposure on busy streets, which is also known to raise blood pressure.
The study's result was striking: for every 2.4 micrograms of fine particulate matter in the air, blood pressure rises by 2 mmHg. That could help explain why people living in cities are more likely to have high blood pressure than those in rural areas. The effects occur even at particulate levels below the current legal limits.
Toner dust from laser printers or copiers is also a form of fine particulate matter and, at high concentrations in an office, can contribute to higher blood pressure.
American researchers found very similar results. They observed residents of a nursing home in Detroit, an area considered polluted with fine particles. The residents were given air purifiers that either had no filter, a low-efficiency filter, or a high-efficiency HEPA filter. After a set period the devices were switched so every resident had each version in their room for a time. The filters ran for three days at a time. Personal exposure was measured during those days using a small device worn on the body. 80 percent of the participants were taking medication for high blood pressure.
It was found that systolic blood pressure in particular was reduced most markedly during the phase when the low-efficiency filter was used. However, the high-efficiency filter performed almost as well. The reduction was statistically significant only in the overweight study participants. Normal-weight subjects benefited much less from a fine particulate matter filter.
There are many suitable filters available on the market. When buying one, make sure the filter is suitable for the size of the room.
A 2023 study, in addition to the known harms from particulate matter, also found a negative effect even after relatively short car trips of 2 hours during rush hour in a large U.S. city. Young adults took trips alternately with and without an in-car HEPA filter. That filter removed about 86% of the particulate matter from the air entering the car. One hour after rides without a filter, systolic blood pressure was 4.5 mmHg higher and diastolic pressure as much as 4.7 mmHg higher than after rides with the filter. The blood pressure increase could still be measured 24 hours after the unfiltered ride: diastolic blood pressure was still 3.8 mmHg higher and systolic blood pressure 1.1 mmHg higher.
A study published in August 2025 also supports the significance of particulate matter for blood pressure. In that study, participants received air purifiers with HEPA filters or identical devices without the filter unit for their homes. They lived within 200 meters of a highway. The devices were swapped after a four-week period without a device. Study participants who had elevated blood pressure readings achieved a significant average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 3 mmHg during the period in which they were provided with a HEPA-filter air purifier. If there was no high blood pressure, the air filters had no effect on blood pressure.
A 2023 study, in addition to the known harms from particulate matter, also found a negative effect even after relatively short car trips of 2 hours during rush hour in a large U.S. city. Young adults took trips alternately with and without an in-car HEPA filter. That filter removed about 86% of the particulate matter from the air entering the car. One hour after rides without a filter, systolic blood pressure was 4.5 mmHg higher and diastolic pressure as much as 4.7 mmHg higher than after rides with the filter. The blood pressure increase could still be measured 24 hours after the unfiltered ride: diastolic blood pressure was still 3.8 mmHg higher and systolic blood pressure 1.1 mmHg higher.
A study published in August 2025 also supports the significance of particulate matter for blood pressure. In that study, participants received air purifiers with HEPA filters or identical devices without the filter unit for their homes. They lived within 200 meters of a highway. The devices were swapped after a four-week period without a device. Study participants who had elevated blood pressure readings achieved a significant average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 3 mmHg during the period in which they were provided with a HEPA-filter air purifier. If there was no high blood pressure, the air filters had no effect on blood pressure.
Sources:
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/treffer?mode=s&wo=17&typ=1&nid=67947&s=Feinstaub%2C&s=Hypertonie
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2701629
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/147697/Luftverschmutzung-durch-Autoabgase-laesst-laut-Studie-Blutdruck-steigen
- https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M23-1309
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.06.037
This article is from Tensana – the leading app since 2011, helping hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 02/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
