Exposure Assessment for Atmospheric Ultrafine Particles (UFPs) and Implications in Epidemiologic Research

Abstract

Epidemiologic research has shown increases in adverse cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes in relation to mass concentrations of particulate matter (PM) ≤2.5 or ≤10 μm in diameter (PM2.5, PM10, respectively). In a companion article [Delfino RJ, Sioutas C, Malik S. 2005. Environ Health Perspect 113(8):934–946]), we discuss epidemiologic evidence pointing to underlying components linked to fossil fuel combustion. The causal components driving the PM associations remain to be identified, but emerging evidence on particle size and chemistry has led to some clues. There is sufficient reason to believe that ultrafine particles < 0.1 μm (UFPs) are important because when compared with larger particles, they have order of magnitudes higher particle number concentration and surface area, and larger concentrations of adsorbed or condensed toxic air pollutants (oxidant gases, organic compounds, transition metals) per unit mass. This is supported by evidence of significantly higher in vitro redox activity by UFPs than by larger PM. Although epidemiologic research is needed, exposure assessment issues for UFPs are complex and need to be considered before undertaking investigations of UFP health effects. These issues include high spatial variability, indoor sources, variable infiltration of UFPs from a variety of outside sources, and meteorologic factors leading to high seasonal variability in concentration and composition, including volatility. To address these issues, investigators need to develop as well as validate the analytic technologies required to characterize the physical/chemical nature of UFPs in various environments. In the present review, we provide a detailed discussion of key characteristics of UFPs, their sources and formation mechanisms, and methodologic approaches to assessing population exposures.

Cited by papers we hold 22

• Review on nanoparticles and nanostructured materials: history, sources, toxicity and regulations · 2018
  No notice
• The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the Biological Activities of Metallic Nanoparticles · 2017
  No notice
• Model studies of volatile diesel exhaust particle formation: are organic vapours involved in nucleation and growth? · 2015
  Not checked
• Associations of Mortality with Long-Term Exposures to Fine and Ultrafine Particles, Species and Sources: Results from the California Teachers Study Cohort · 2015
  No notice
• Indoor/outdoor relationships and mass closure of quasi-ultrafine, accumulation and coarse particles in Barcelona schools · 2014
  Not checked
• New particle formation in the presence of a strong biomass burning episode at a downwind rural site in PRD, China · 2013
  Not checked
• Mechanisms of Nanoparticle-Induced Oxidative Stress and Toxicity · 2013
  No notice
• Glutamatergic Neurons in Rodent Models Respond to Nanoscale Particulate Urban Air Pollutants in Vivo and in Vitro · 2011
  No notice
• In vitro toxicity of particulate matter (PM) collected at different sites in the Netherlands is associated with PM composition, size fraction and oxidative potential - the RAPTES project · 2011
  No notice
• Oxidative Damage to DNA and Lipids as Biomarkers of Exposure to Air Pollution · 2010
  No notice
• Particulate matter and atherosclerosis: role of particle size, composition and oxidative stress · 2009
  No notice
• The Adjuvant Effect of Ambient Particulate Matter Is Closely Reflected by the Particulate Oxidant Potential · 2009
  No notice
• Air Pollution Exposures and Circulating Biomarkers of Effect in a Susceptible Population: Clues to Potential Causal Component mixtures and mechanisms · 2009
  No notice
• Exposure to ambient concentrations of particulate air pollution does not influence vascular function or inflammatory pathways in young healthy individuals · 2008
  Not checked
• Meeting Report: Atmospheric Pollution and Human Reproduction · 2008
  No notice
• Fine Particle Sources and Cardiorespiratory Morbidity: An Application of Chemical Mass Balance and Factor Analytical Source-Apportionment Methods · 2008
  No notice
• Circulating Biomarkers of Inflammation, Antioxidant Activity, and Platelet Activation Are Associated with Primary Combustion Aerosols in Subjects with Coronary Artery Disease · 2008
  No notice
• Near-highway pollutants in motor vehicle exhaust: A review of epidemiologic evidence of cardiac and pulmonary health risks · 2007
  No notice
• Personal and Ambient Air Pollution Exposures and Lung Function Decrements in Children with Asthma · 2007
  No notice
• Exposure to Ultrafine Particles from Ambient Air and Oxidative Stress–Induced DNA Damage · 2007
  No notice

and 2 more

Reads

A person counts once a day per paper. We keep no cookie and no address: a reader is a hash that changes every day. Any month under five reads shows no number.