Particulate matter can cause respiratory, vascular and cardiac damage
(Nanowerk News) The Rochester Particulate Matter Research Center recently released a report that integrates the results of many of their PM health effects studies. The report, entitled Assessment of Ambient UFP Health Effects: Linking Sources to Exposure and Responses in Extrapulmonary Organs, shows that ultrafine air particles (particulate matter or PM) can cause significant health effects in the respiratory, vascular, and cardiac systems, especially in the elderly and those with atherosclerotic vascular disease.
The center found that ultrafine particulate matter is easily transported from the respiratory tract to other organs, such as the heart and central nervous system, potentially causing oxidative stress in those organs. Age and disease were found to be critical modifying or susceptibility factors. Researchers also found that impacts on the circulatory system could be worse for those with atherosclerotic vascular disease, such as seen in type 2 diabetes.
The Rochester PM Research Center was established through a Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grant.
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