"We can see clearly that a tremendous number of people are exposed to high levels of particulates," said Martin. "But, so far, nobody has looked at what that means in terms of mortality and disease."

"I could certainly eat you alive," Martin said, in turn running insolent eyes over the other's disease-ravaged frame.

Martin Shipley, who co-wrote the report published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, said: "the findings on heart disease show there was sufficient evidence to say there is a link with."