Ultrafine particles (UFP) and health effects. Dangerous. Like no other PM? Review and analysis

Abstract

The goal of the current review is to present and analyze the known information proposed and discussed the last few years about UFP and their possible health effects. It includes references from 1992 to 2008. It also includes references from some fundamental studies in the 1970's and 1980's. The review and analysis of the health hazards induced by ultrafine particle exposure focuses on the; classification and characteristics of suspended particulate matter (PM), features and properties of PM and, specifically, ultrafine particles (UFP), the UFP movement and translocation from exposure sources in the environment to the human body and the ways of absorption and deposition within the human anatomy. Also, an extensive review of epidemiological, clinical and toxicology studies concerning possible health effects of UFP, is included. Finally, the most recent studies suggesting extrapulmonary effects and, especially, on the brain and central nervous system. Results have shown that there is significant analogy between UFP exposure and related adverse health effect risk in human beings. Cardiovascular and pulmonary systems seem to be the main targets of this exposure. New evidence shows accumulation of UFP in regions of the cerebellum, olfactory bulb and other areas of the central nervous system.

The particle size of drug nanocarriers dictates the fate of neurons; critical points in neurological therapeutics

“…There is an interesting and critical note in this regard, and it is related to the chemical composition of treatment, and from this view, they are in good agreement together. Based on the present data and earlier reports [31][32][33], ultrafine particles induce higher cell mortality and apoptosis than the larger ones. Previous reports were related to air pollution and cytotoxic materials, and the present investigation is related to the FTY-720 as a neuroprotective.…”

“…However, the data associated with the environmental effects of ultrafine particles (<100 nm) on CNS show that inhaled ultrafine particles of air pollution exhibit a higher level of inflammation and cell mortality than the fine particles. It is eventually due to enhanced surface to volume ratio and absorption [31][32][33]. Gillespie et al demonstrated that although two fine and ultrafine air pollutions induce apoptosis of neural cells, inducible apoptosis derived from ultrafine particles was higher than fine particles [33].…”