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Coughing at Night? Study Links Air Pollution to Poor Sleep

Nighttime coughing is linked to local particulate matter levels, according to new research from Cambridge University and Tsinghua University published in Communications Health.
Researchers utilized the Sleep Cycle app to analyze sound data from tens of thousands of users over 18 months, building an 'unprecedented' dataset from more than 4 billion sleep sessions.
Analysis revealed a 2.4% rise in coughing levels with increases in particulate matter, even where pollution remained below World Health Organization recommended daily exposure limits.
After accounting for flu season and weather variables, lead author Tong Xia and Professor Cecilia Mascolo observed coughing spikes in Los Angeles during January 2025 wildfires, supporting the pollution link.
Mascolo suggests there may be 'no such thing as a safe threshold' for pollution exposure; individuals might consider mitigating personal risk by using air filters or masks.

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Coughing at night? Study links air pollution to poor sleep

Cambridge University scientists found higher daily air pollution levels were "strongly linked" to nighttime coughing levels.

7 hours ago

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News Medical

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Nighttime coughing could be due to air pollution levels, research suggests

Has your partner ever woken you up at night with their coughing? Has your coughing ever woken them up? New research suggests it could be due to air pollution levels in your area, even if those levels are low.

10 hours ago·Mona Vale, Australia

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