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Health effects of ultrafine particles: a systematic literature review update of epidemiological evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Simone Ohlwein

    (Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf)

  • Ron Kappeler

    (Switzerland and University of Basel)

  • Meltem Kutlar Joss

    (Switzerland and University of Basel)

  • Nino Künzli

    (Switzerland and University of Basel)

  • Barbara Hoffmann

    (Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf)

Abstract

Objectives Due to their small size, ultrafine particles (UFP) are believed to exert higher toxicity than larger particles. As numerous studies on health effects of UFP have been published since the last systematic review in 2013, we aim to systematically review the new literature. Methods We searched MEDLINE and the specialized LUDOK database for studies published between 01.01.2011 and 11.05.2017 investigating health effects of ambient air pollution-related UFP. We included epidemiologic studies containing UFP measures and quantifiable measures of associations. Relevant data were extracted on the basis of previously developed evaluation criteria. Results We identified 85 original studies, conducting short-term (n = 75) and long-term (n = 10) investigations. Panel (n = 32), scripted exposure with predefined settings (n = 16) or time series studies (n = 11) were most frequent. Thirty-four studies adjusted for at least one other pollutant. Most consistent associations were identified for short-term effects on pulmonary/systemic inflammation, heart rate variability and blood pressure. Conclusions The evidence suggests adverse short-term associations with inflammatory and cardiovascular changes, which may be at least partly independent of other pollutants. For the other studied health outcomes, the evidence on independent health effects of UFP remains inconclusive or insufficient.

Suggested Citation

  • Simone Ohlwein & Ron Kappeler & Meltem Kutlar Joss & Nino Künzli & Barbara Hoffmann, 2019. "Health effects of ultrafine particles: a systematic literature review update of epidemiological evidence," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(4), pages 547-559, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:64:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s00038-019-01202-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-019-01202-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Markus Braun & Rawya Al-Qaysi & Doris Klingelhöfer & Ruth Müller & David A. Groneberg, 2020. "High Particulate Matter Burden of Cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates and Germany: Are There Country-Specific Differences?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Gyeyoung Choi & Yujeong Kim & Gyeongseon Shin & SeungJin Bae, 2022. "Projecting Lifetime Health Outcomes and Costs Associated with the Ambient Fine Particulate Matter Exposure among Adult Women in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Lu Zhou & Yingmin Tao & Xiaozhen Su & Xiyin Chen & Liang Li & Qingyan Fu & Juan Xie & Renjie Chen, 2022. "Short-Term Associations between Size-Fractioned Particles and Cardiopulmonary Function in COPD Patients: A Panel Study in Shanghai, China, during 2014–2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Yang Ni & Wang Song & Yu Bai & Tao Liu & Guoxing Li & Ying Bian & Qiang Zeng, 2021. "Years of Life Lost (YLL) Due to Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, October.
    5. Roman Vasilevich & Mariya Vasilevich & Evgeny Lodygin & Evgeny Abakumov, 2023. "Geochemical Characteristics of the Vertical Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Hummocky Peatlands of the Cryolithozone," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Greta Gerlach & Markus Braun & Janis Dröge & David A. Groneberg, 2022. "Do Budget Cigarettes Emit More Particles? An Aerosol Spectrometric Comparison of Particulate Matter Concentrations between Private-Label Cigarettes and More Expensive Brand-Name Cigarettes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-11, May.
    7. James C. Matthews & Chalida Chompoobut & Panida Navasumrit & M. Anwar H. Khan & Matthew D. Wright & Mathuros Ruchirawat & Dudley E. Shallcross, 2023. "Particle Number Concentration Measurements on Public Transport in Bangkok, Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-14, March.
    8. Vesna Viher Hrženjak & Andreja Kukec & Ivan Eržen & Dalibor Stanimirović, 2020. "Effects of Ultrafine Particles in Ambient Air on Primary Health Care Consultations for Diabetes in Children and Elderly Population in Ljubljana, Slovenia: A 5-Year Time-Trend Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-19, July.
    9. Katherine L Thayer & Kevin Lane & Matthew C Simon & Doug Brugge & Christina H Fuller, 2022. "An exploratory analysis of sociodemographic characteristics with ultrafine particle concentrations in Boston, MA," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(3), pages 1-12, March.
    10. Dusan Jandacka & Matej Brna & Daniela Durcanska & Matus Kovac, 2023. "Characterization of Road Dust, PM x and Aerosol in a Shopping–Recreational Urban Area: Physicochemical Properties, Concentration, Distribution and Sources Estimation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-18, August.
    11. Ondrej Machaczka & Vitezslav Jirik & Viera Brezinova & Adela Vrtkova & Hana Miturova & Petra Riedlova & Andrea Dalecka & Barbara Hermanova & Hana Slachtova & Grzegorz Siemiatkowski & Leszek Osrodka & , 2021. "Evaluation of Fine and Ultrafine Particles Proportion in Airborne Dust in an Industrial Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, August.
    12. Enrico Pisoni & Philippe Thunis & Alexander De Meij & Bertrand Bessagnet, 2022. "Assessing the Impact of Local Policies on PM2.5 Concentration Levels: Application to 10 European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, May.
    13. Fabio Boccuni & Riccardo Ferrante & Francesca Tombolini & Sergio Iavicoli & Armando Pelliccioni, 2021. "Relationship between Indoor High Frequency Size Distribution of Ultrafine Particles and Their Metrics in a University Site," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, May.
    14. Monika A. Zielinska & Jadwiga Hamulka, 2019. "Protective Effect of Breastfeeding on the Adverse Health Effects Induced by Air Pollution: Current Evidence and Possible Mechanisms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-29, October.

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