Lupus is characterized by periodic flares--times of increased symptoms. What triggers the flares? Looking at environmental factors, researchers at McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec, evaluated the effects of small, airborne particles released from vehicles on lupus patients. The results showed that when patients were exposed to elevated air pollution for two days prior to their visit to the Lupus Clinic of the McGill University Health Center, they were 1.5 times more likely to have increased disease activity although the amount of pollution fell within national health recommendations for the particulate pollution.

    This is the first study to link fine airborne particles to this specific autoimmune disease, and it adds to prior research which indicates that pollution can trigger autoimmune disorders.

--Source: "Recent exposure to fine particle pollution linked to lupus disease activity," Jennifer F. Nyland and Wendy Hessler, Environmental Health News, November 11, 2010