A new study suggests that air pollution can increase the risk of appendicitis. Researchers from the University of Calgary found that more cases of appendicitis were hospitalized on days when pollution levels were at peak.

The study has been presented to an American College of Gastroenterology conference and it seems to suggest that the general risk of tissue inflammation increases because of pollution.

A small pouch connected to the large intestine is known as the appendix. Though its role in the body is not clear, it is believed that it helps useful bacteria to aid digestion and fight infection. In Appendicitis, the appendix swells up and fills with pus.

In their study, the researchers identified almost 45,000 adults who were hospitalized between 1999 and 2006 for appendicitis.