Particulate Matter and Cardiovascular Health Effects

Abstract

Several studies have shown that exposure to air pollution leads to important adverse health effects resulting in increased morbidity and mortality (Brook, Franklin et al. 2004; Bhatnagar 2006; Brook, Rajagopalan et al. 2010). According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution constitutes the 13th leading cause of mortality in the world (WHO 2009). Increased mortality is mostly due to increased cardiovascular diseases in the exposed population, particularly those of ischemic nature (Pope, Burnett et al. 2004). While air pollutants are composed of a mixture of particulate matter (PM) and gases such as carbon monoxide, ozone, sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide, recent studies have shown that the particulate matter component of air pollution is mainly responsible for the cardiovascular health effects (Araujo and Nel 2009). This chapter will mostly focus on the links between PM, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.