Boston (eCanadaNow) - According to a new study, there is a direct link between exposure to air pollution and the development of blood clots in the legs.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public health in Boston have linked the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to exposure of air pollution such as pollution from cars.

DVT is a blood clot in the leg that is usually caused from people who sit for long periods of tiem on an airplane.

As the density of the air pollution increases, so does the risk for blood clots.

Dr. Andrea Baccarelli stated "This is the first time that anyone has connected air pollution with deep vein thrombosis."

The study has been published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.