The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

Researchers in the Woolcock’s Respiratory Cellular and Molecular Biology research group have recently completed a groundbreaking study into vitamin C and air pollution. The study found that vitamin C may have the potential to protect people against lung disease caused by traffic-related air pollution, bushfires and dust storms.

Led by Distinguished Professor Brian Oliver findings from the study were recently published in Environment International. Researchers examined the effect of vitamin C in reducing lung inflammation and mitochondrial loss caused by PM2.5 – tiny airborne particles commonly found in urban pollution – finding it could be protective.

Air pollution is becoming the second-highest preventable risk factor to our health, a greater than smoking. In 2019, air pollution contributed to more than 200 million healthy life years lost to premature death or disability.

There is no safe level of air pollution caused by PM2.5, even at the levels present in Australian capital cities. At low levels, PM2.5 can contribute to lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.

Using a well-established mouse model, the research team discovered that using antioxidant vitamin C supplementation reduced the negative effects of low-level PM2.5 exposure.

Key findings:

• Taking vitamin C effectively prevents PM2.5-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Taking vitamin C also helps reduce harmful substances in our cells and protects our cell energy makers (mitochondria) from getting damaged by these tiny particles.
• The study provides hope that vitamin C may help high-risk individuals in the event of bushfires or dust-storms.

“For the first time we are providing hope for a low-cost preventative treatment to a global issue affecting hundreds of millions of people,” Distinguished Professor Oliver says.

“We know now that there is no safe level of air pollution which causes inflammation in the lungs and leads to myriad respiratory diseases and chronic illnesses, especially in the case of bush fires.”

However, he cautioned against using over-the-counter supplementation saying that it is easy to overdose. Taking more is not better for you.

“This study suggests that taking the highest permitted dose of Vitamin C for you would potentially help, but you would need to speak with your GP to make sure you’re taking the right kind of supplement at the right levels and don’t accidently overdose on something else included in an over-the-counter supplement.”

Find out more

• Our Respiratory Cellular and Molecular Biology research group