Fine particulate matter (PM2.5): The culprit for chronic lung diseases in China

• Published in: Chronic diseases and translational medicine Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 176 - 186
• Main Authors: Li, Tao, Hu, Rong, Chen, Zi, Li, Qiyuan, Huang, Shouxiong, Zhu, Zhou, Zhou, Lin-Fu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Elsevier B.V 01.09.2018; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA%Department of Translational Medicine, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China%Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45249, USA%Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA%Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China%Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jiangsu Shengze Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215228, China; Chinese Medical Association; Wiley
• Subjects: Air pollution; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Lung diseases; Particulate matter; Air pollution; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Particulate matter; Lung diseases
• ISSN: 2095-882X; 2589-0514; 2589-0514
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cdtm.2018.07.002

Air pollution is a world public health problem. Particulate matter (PM), a mix of solid and liquid particles in the air, becomes an increasing concern in the social and economic development of China. For decades, epidemiological studies have confirmed the association between fine particle pollutants and respiratory diseases. It has been reported in different populations that increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations cause elevated susceptibility to respiratory diseases, including acute respiratory distress, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. This review will discuss the pathophysiology of PM2.5 in respiratory diseases, which are helpful for the prevention of air pollution and treatment of respiratory tract inflammatory diseases.