Health effects of ultrafine particles: a systematic literature review update of epidemiological evidence.

Int J Public Health

Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Center for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Postfach 101007, 40001, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Published: May 2019

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study investigates the health effects of ultrafine particles (UFP) and aims to review recent literature published since 2013.
  • Researchers searched MEDLINE and LUDOK for studies from 2011 to 2017, identifying 85 relevant investigations, mostly focusing on short-term health effects.
  • The results indicate significant short-term adverse effects on inflammation, heart rate variability, and blood pressure, while the impact of UFP on other health outcomes remains unclear.

Article Abstract

Objectives: Due to their small size, ultrafine particles (UFP) are believed to exert higher toxicity than larger particles. As numerous studies on health effects of UFP have been published since the last systematic review in 2013, we aim to systematically review the new literature.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and the specialized LUDOK database for studies published between 01.01.2011 and 11.05.2017 investigating health effects of ambient air pollution-related UFP. We included epidemiologic studies containing UFP measures and quantifiable measures of associations. Relevant data were extracted on the basis of previously developed evaluation criteria.

Results: We identified 85 original studies, conducting short-term (n = 75) and long-term (n = 10) investigations. Panel (n = 32), scripted exposure with predefined settings (n = 16) or time series studies (n = 11) were most frequent. Thirty-four studies adjusted for at least one other pollutant. Most consistent associations were identified for short-term effects on pulmonary/systemic inflammation, heart rate variability and blood pressure.

Conclusions: The evidence suggests adverse short-term associations with inflammatory and cardiovascular changes, which may be at least partly independent of other pollutants. For the other studied health outcomes, the evidence on independent health effects of UFP remains inconclusive or insufficient.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00038-019-01202-7DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

health effects
16
ultrafine particles
8
effects ufp
8
studies
6
health
5
ufp
5
effects ultrafine
4
particles systematic
4
systematic literature
4
literature review
4

Similar Publications

Stimulant-involved overdose deaths: Constructing dynamic hypotheses.

Int J Drug Policy

January 2025

MGH Institute for Technology Assessment, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02144, USA. Electronic address:

The overdose epidemic in the United States is evolving, with a rise in stimulant (cocaine and/or methamphetamine)-only and opioid and stimulant-involved overdose deaths for reasons that remain unclear. We conducted interviews and group model building workshops in Massachusetts and South Dakota. Building on these data and extant research, we identified six dynamic hypotheses, explaining changes in stimulant-involved overdose trends, visualized using causal loop diagrams.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rural and remote health care: the case for spatial justice.

Rural Remote Health

January 2025

School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia.

Almost universally, people living in rural and remote places die younger, poorer, and sicker than urban-dwelling citizens of the same country. Despite clear need, health services are commonly less available, and more costly and challenging to access, for rural and remote people. Rural geography is commonly cited as a reason for these disparities, that is, rural people are said to live in places too distant, too underpopulated, and too difficult to access.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Although considered an "eco-friendly" biodegradable plastic, polylactic acid (PLA) microplastic (PLA-MP) poses a growing concern for human health, yet its effects on male reproductive function remain underexplored. This study investigated the reproductive toxicity of PLA in male mice and its potential mechanisms. To this end, our in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that after degradation in the digestive system, a significant number of PLA-MP-derived nanoparticles could penetrate the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and localize within the spermatogenic microenvironment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Health Expenditures of Patients With Diabetes After Bariatric Surgery: Comparing Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Ann Intern Med

January 2025

Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California (A.B., K.J.C., A.A.K.).

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) differ in their effects on body weight and risk for reoperation. However, it is unclear whether long-term health expenditures differ by procedure type in patients with diabetes.

Objective: To compare health expenditures 3 years before and 5.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effects of Noise and Public Setting on Blood Pressure Readings : A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Ann Intern Med

January 2025

Department of Epidemiology and Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore; and Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (T.M.B.).

Background: Guidelines emphasize quiet settings for blood pressure (BP) measurement.

Objective: To determine the effect of noise and public environment on BP readings.

Design: Randomized crossover trial of adults in Baltimore, Maryland.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!