Possible link between pollution, appendicitis

October 6, 2009 Canadian researchers monitored more than 5,000 people over a seven-year period. They found people exposed to nitrogen dioxide for a week were almost twice as likely to come down with appendicitis as those who had no exposure.

Participants over age 64 were more than four times more likely to develop appendicitis under the same conditions.

The link between air pollution and appendicitis was also more marked in men.

Nitrogen dioxide is most usually created by traffic and causes most health problems during the summer months.