Road dust and its effect on human health: a literature review

• Published in: Epidemiology and health Vol. 40; pp. e2018013 - 11
• Main Authors: Khan, Raihan K, Strand, Mark A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Epidemiology 10.04.2018; 한국역학회
• Subjects: Dust; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Humans; Particulate matter; Respiratory system; Review; Review literature as topic; Risk Assessment; Transportation; 예방의학; Dust; Review literature as topic; Respiratory system; Particulate matter; Risk assessment
• ISSN: 2092-7193; 2092-7193
• DOI: 10.4178/EPIH.E2018013

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of road dust on human health. A PubMed search was used to extract references that included the words "road dust" and "health" or "fugitive dust" and "health" in the title or abstract. A total of 46 references were extracted and selected for review after the primary screening of 949 articles. The respiratory system was found to be the most affected system in the human body. Lead, platinum-group elements (platinum, rhodium, and bohrium), aluminum, zinc, vanadium, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were the components of road dust that were most frequently referenced in the articles reviewed. Road dust was found to have harmful effects on the human body, especially on the respiratory system. To determine the complex mechanism of action of various components of road dust on the human body and the results thereof, the authors recommend a further meta-analysis and extensive risk-assessment research into the health impacts of dust exposure.