Particulate air pollution is a matter of the heart

Exposure to ambient particulate air pollution leads to adverse cardiovascular and respiratory effects. It has been estimated that air pollution could be responsible for 0.8 million (1.4%) deaths per year worldwide. Air pollution may worsen the sequelae of coronary atherosclerosis and, potentially accelerate its development. Some of the pollution effects occur rather abruptly, like the triggering of an arrhythmia or myocardial infarction, or some over time, such as, acceleration of the progression of atherosclerosis. Particulate matter is a complex mixture; the particles vary in size and composition. Therefore, it is unlikely that a single mechanism would explain the various effects seen. In this review, potential mechanisms of adverse cardiovascular effects of ambient air particles are discussed.