Ambient PM2.5 Human Health Effects—Findings in China and Research Directions

Abstract

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) results in adverse health outcomes. Although this is a global concern, residents of China may be particularly vulnerable due to frequent severe air pollution episodes associated with economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization. Until 2012, PM2.5 was not regulated and monitored in China and annual average concentrations far exceeded the World Health Organizations guidelines of 10 μg/m3. Since the establishment of PM2.5 Ambient Air Quality Criteria in 2012, concentrations have decreased, but still pose significant health risks. A review of ambient PM2.5 health effect studies is warranted to evaluate the current state of knowledge and to prioritize future research efforts. Our review found that recent literature has confirmed associations between PM2.5 exposure and total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, hypertension, lung cancer, influenza and other adverse health outcomes. Future studies should take a long-term approach to verify associations between exposure to PM2.5 and health effects. In order to obtain adequate exposure assessment at finer spatial resolutions, high density sampling, satellite remote sensing, or models should be employed. Personal monitoring should also be conducted to validate the use of outdoor concentrations as proxies for exposure. More research efforts should be devoted to seasonal patterns, sub-population susceptibility, and the mechanism by which exposure causes health effects. Submicron and ultrafine PM should also be monitored and regulated.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Levels In Wistar Rats Exposed To Ambient Air Of Port Harcourt, Nigeria: An Indicator For Tissue Toxicity

“…High amounts of ne particulate matter in indoor and outdoor environs noted in the study were similar to those found in highly petroleum-based industrial areas [23][24][25][26][27][62][63][64]. The observed increase in particulate matter is most likely responsible for the relative upsurge in trends of morbidity and mortality recorded over the years in Port Harcourt, con rming reports from previous studies [19,20,62], as toxicity and mortality, cancers, upsurge in respiratory, cardiovascular, and renal dysfunctions resulting from exposure to particulate matter bonded with PAHs have been reported in a plethora of epidemiological studies [47,65,44]. Although the ration of PM 10 and PM 2.5 have not been studied for atmospheric particulate matter of Port Harcourt, studies have implicated infants and children being at risk of ne aerodynamic particulates [22,66].…”

“…3 and 4) implicating a relatively clean air in the University of Nigeria Nsukka, where the experimental animals were imported from for the study assessment. This suggests that people in non-hydrocarbon and petroleum-free environments are at lower risk of cancers and general tissue toxicity compared to residents inhaling air polluted with PAHs bonded particulate matter due to petroleum and hydrocarbon related industrial activities [61][62][63][64][65][66][67]. Also, the continuous inhalation of PAHs bounded particulate increases the concentrations of these compounds in the tissues, enabling toxicity through oxidative stress, in ammation, and DNA methylation [5,48].…”

“…The notable negation of study results from similar studies [96][97][98] in which higher levels of indoor PAHs were observed, is likely to result from the difference in geographic location, seasonal variations, and source of particulate matter inducing the PAHs [72,75]. Deaths recorded from the outdoor experimental exposed rats are likely to result from tissue toxicity beyond the bearable limit and immune suppression prompted by oxidative stress and alteration of DNA methylation and expression of speci c genes [44,65,94,95,[99][100][101][102], as caution was taken prevent physical stress and trauma on the rats. The study ndings explain and implicate previous reports on increased trends of selected mortality and morbidity associated with particulate matter pollution in Port Harcourt between 2016 and 2018 as well as an upsurge in health burden [20,23].…”

Contribution of Satellite-Derived Aerosol Optical Depth PM2.5 Bayesian Concentration Surfaces to Respiratory-Cardiovascular Chronic Disease Hospitalizations in Baltimore, Maryland

“…The adverse effects of PM 2.5 on the respiratory-cardiovascular system have been repeatedly confirmed [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Epidemiologic studies that assess exposure risk to different ambient PM 2.5 concentration levels have relied on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) network of ground-based ambient air pollutant monitors [4,[13][14][15][16].…”

Atmospheric Pollution and Thyroid Function of Pregnant Women in Athens, Greece: A Pilot Study

“…Studies have shown a link between pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and maternal thyroid function [1]. Particulate air pollutants are prevalent and harmful to humans (as assessed versus mortality, morbidity or cardiovascular disease) [2]; however, data on whether exposure to particulate air pollutants can also disrupt thyroid function in pregnancy are limited. Recently, exposure to ambient air pollution (and more in detail to nitrogen dioxide-NO 2 or particulate air pollutants with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers-PM2.5 or 10 micrometers-PM10) has been linked to thyroid (dys)function in pregnant women (and/or their fetuses/neonates) [1,[3][4][5].…”