Impact of particulate matter on health

Abstract

Ambient air pollution, including particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants, represents an important environmental factor that adversely affects human health. PM is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Particle pollution is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. Subtypes of atmospheric PM include suspended particulate matter, respirable suspended particles (particles with a diameter of 10 μm or less), fine particles (diameter of 2.5 μm or less), ultrafine particles, and soot. Sources of particulate matter can be artificial or natural. The effects of inhaling PM that have been widely studied in humans and animals now include asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory diseases, birth defects, and premature death. This review focus on the impact of PM on health outcomes such as respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer.