Abstrakt

Introduction: Particulate matter is defined as air particles with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm, with three sizes of particulate matter being distinguished. PM10 are particles with a diameter < 10 µm; particles with a size of < 2.5 µm are called PM2.5; ultrafine particles are smaller than 0.1 µm. In conurbations, traffic emissions are the main source of particulate matter. Other important anthropogenic sources include dust dispersion, the erosion of road surfaces, tire and brake abrasion, and combustion processes of fossil fuels. After entering the human organism, particulate matter mainly affects the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Due to the increased particulate matter pollution in the context of the climate change, this article investigates whether the exposure to particulate matter can promote asthma. In addition, it will be examined to what extent the physical and chemical properties of the particles are relevant for asthma-associated effects.
Methods: By systematic literature research we identified 33 relevant clinical studies and several additional reviews on the association of particulate matter and asthma.
Results: Significant correlations between PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter and increased respiratory inflammatory response, increased bronchial hyperreactivity, and oxidative stress have been demonstrated in asthma patients. However, a high correlation between the different air pollution components also has to be assumed. Studies on diesel emissions show inconsistent results, with laboratory studies demonstrating an increased inflammatory response in healthy subjects in contrast to asthma patients. Studies on traffic-related emissions raise the question as to how living near a larger street could be more important than the actual particulate matter concentration in certain life situations. The role of ultrafine particulate matter varies and has not been explicitly addressed in most of the studies. In most studies, there is a tendency towards a negative impact of ultrafine particulate matter on asthma. Asthma-associated hospitalization of children and adults and asthma incidence have been associated with exposure to particulate matter of the sizes PM2.5 and PM10.
Discussion: Interactions between the environment and an organism are highly complex and so are the effects on the immune system and on asthma progression. Isolated fine particles are often difficult to study in real-life situations and are highly correlated with other air pollutants, meaning that significant associations between individual particulate matter components are to be interpreted with great caution. Nevertheless, the results generally indicate that it is essential to demand better compliance with particulate matter limits on the political level in order to reduce the associated health effects as much as possible.

Autoreninformation

Autoren

• R.M. von Borries¹
• K.-C. Bergmann²

Abteilungen

• ¹ Berlin,
• ² Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Fakultät der Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Adresse

Rosa von Borries
Bernhard-Lichtenberg-Straße 15
10407 Berlin
Email: [email protected]

Citation