Air pollution is an important cause of non-communicable diseases globally with particulate matter (PM) as one of the main air pollutants. PM is composed of microscopic particles that contain a mixture of chemicals and biological elements that can be harmful to human health. The aerodynamic diameter of PM facilitates their deposition when inhaled. For instance, coarse PM having a diameter of < 10 μm is deposited mainly in the large conducting airways, but PM of < 2.5 μm can cross the alveolar-capillary barrier, traveling to other organs within the body. Epidemiological studies have shown the association between PM exposure and risk of disease, namely those of the respiratory system such as lung cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, cardiovascular and neurological diseases have also been reported, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, loss of cognitive function, anxiety, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Inflammation is a common hallmark in the pathogenesis of many of these diseases associated with exposure to a variety of air pollutants, including PM. This review focuses on the main effects of PM on human health, with an emphasis on the role of inflammation.

中文翻译：

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颗粒物空气污染的炎症影响。

空气污染是全球范围内非传染性疾病的重要原因，其中颗粒物（PM）是主要的空气污染物之一。PM由微观颗粒组成，其中包含可能对人体健康有害的化学物质和生物元素的混合物。PM的空气动力学直径有助于其吸入时的沉积。例如，直径<10μm的粗颗粒PM主要沉积在大型导气管中，而<2.5μm的PM则可以穿过肺泡-毛细血管屏障，并传播到体内其他器官。流行病学研究表明，PM暴露与疾病风险之间存在关联，即罹患呼吸系统疾病的风险，例如肺癌，哮喘和慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）。但是，也有心血管和神经系统疾病的报道，包括高血压，动脉粥样硬化，急性心肌梗塞，中风，认知功能丧失，焦虑症以及帕金森氏症和阿尔茨海默氏病。炎症是许多与暴露于多种空气污染物（包括PM）有关的疾病的发病机制中的常见标志。这篇综述着重于PM对人类健康的主要影响，并着重于炎症的作用。