IJCS | Volume 31, Nº5, September / October 2018

464 Figure 1 - Mechanisms that link environmental pollution to cardiovascular diseases (adaptaded from Newby et al. 6 and Brook et al. 7 ) Table 1 - Strategies for the assessment of individuals at risk of the effects of environmental pollution and ways to enhance their protection (adapted from Hadley et al. 3 ) Identification of individuals more susceptible to the cardiovascular effects of pollution Burning of solid fuels at home for heating or cooking Live in residences with poor ventilation and with pollution sources, such as stoves or fireplaces Live or work in urban industrial environment with intense pollution Time spent routinely in heavy traffic areas Outdoor physical activity in polluted environments or near highways or on busy urban roads The obese, the elderly and individuals with traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease Interventions & Recommendations to reduce the risk of environmental pollution Educate individuals at risk about the risk of pollution Prioritize treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in individuals exposed to pollution Collaborate with government efforts to reduce pollution emissions Propose the use of more efficient heating, cooking and ventilation methods in patients’ household Educate patients to avoid exposure to environmental pollution: keeping the car’s windows closed when in traffic or avoiding the practice of physical activity in high-exposure locations and times Encourage the use of filters to reduce exposures, such as N95 respirator masks or central air conditioners with high efficiency filters ClaudioTinoco Mesquita Environmental Pollution and Cardiovascular Diseases Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2018;31(5)463-465 Editorial In 2016, 95% of the world’s population lived in areas where ambient PM2.5 levels exceeded 10 μg/m 3 (annual average), which is the maximum tolerated limit established by the World Health Organization. Global population-weighted PM2.5 concentrations are 18% higher compared to the 2010 levels, which means that the world’s population is progressively more exposed to pollution. 9 This trend must be reverted so that we can have a healthier planet and healthier hearts. It is the responsibility of health-care professionals to disseminate ways to achieve the sustainable development goals of the United Nations Organization. 10 With regard to