The Impact of Fine Particulate Matter 2.5 on the Cardiovascular System: A Review of the Invisible Killer

Abstract

Air pollution exerts several deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounting for 80% of all premature deaths caused by air pollution. Short-term exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) leads to acute CVD-associated deaths and nonfatal events, whereas long-term exposure increases CVD-associated risk of death and reduces longevity. Here, we summarize published data illustrating how PM2.5 may impact the cardiovascular system to provide information on the mechanisms by which it may contribute to CVDs. We provide an overview of PM2.5, its associated health risks, global statistics, mechanistic underpinnings related to mitochondria, and hazardous biological effects. We elaborate on the association between PM2.5 exposure and CVD development and examine preventive PM2.5 exposure measures and future strategies for combating PM2.5-related adverse health effects. The insights gained can provide critical guidelines for preventing pollution-related CVDs through governmental, societal, and personal measures, thereby benefitting humanity and slowing climate change.

An assessment of census-tract level socioeconomic position as a modifier of the relationship between PM 2.5 concentrations and cardiovascular emergency department visits in Missouri

“…These findings are consistent with previous literature, which has established that PM 2.5 is a risk factor for CVDM. [28,29] Previous literature also supports our findings of a seasonal effect of PM 2.5 on CVDM, but is split on whether cold or warm season exposure presents greater risk. [30–33] Others have suggested that humidity, not temperature, is the primary driver of observed seasonal differences in CVDM associated with PM 2.5 concentrations.…”

Diesel-derived PM2.5 induces impairment of cardiac movement followed by mitochondria dysfunction in cardiomyocytes

“…The toxicity of fine and nanoscale particles is highly dependent on the composition of the particles due to physicochemical differences of the materials and differences in toxicity of the composed chemicals ( 22 , 42 ). Moreover, the composition of the PM 2.5 varies according to PM 2.5 sources, including region, natural circumstance, and anthropogenic factors ( 43 ). In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of diesel-derived PM 2.5 , which is certified as Standard Reference Material (SRM) by the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), and the PM 2.5 is composed with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Nitro-PAHs) ( 44 , 45 ).…”

Short-term exposure to some heavy metals carried with PM10 and cardiovascular system biomarkers during dust storm

“…However, there is less attention to the effect of dust storms on workers with a specific physical activity. Most of them were focused on human health effects due to industrial particles 18 , 24 . Besides, there are no published studies to investigate the effects of HMs associated with airborne particles on the CB based on our best knowledge.…”

“…Therefore, they penetrate the blood Circulatory system and then can damage other tissues 16,17 . The American Heart Association has argued that heart disease and mortality associated with PM may relate result of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction 18,19 . Some studies have shown that exposure to PM 10 has been significantly associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in residents near open-pit mining regions 15,[20][21][22] .…”