Vol 11, No 5 (2007)
Review paper
Published online: 2007-10-03
The impact of particulate matter and sulphur dioxide on blood pressure - current knowledge
Małgorzata Kowalska, Łukasz Krzych
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2007;11(5):435-442.
Vol 11, No 5 (2007)
REVIEV
Published online: 2007-10-03
Abstract
The results of environmental epidemiological studies give
strong evidence that air pollution of particulate matter PM10
and PM2.5, and sulphur dioxide (SO2) increases the cardiovascular
risk, influences cardiac-emergency hospital admission
rate and increases cardiovascular mortality, especially in
subjects aged over 65. It is believed to be caused by atherosclerosis
and blood pressure elevation in relation to environmental
exposure. The aim of the study was to assess current knowledge
in the light of recently published data, with regard to the
impact of air pollution with particulate matter and sulphur
dioxide on blood pressure in exposed population.
The results of experimental studies in animals revealed
direct impact of PM10, PM2.5 and SO2 on blood pressure
elevation. Those results were confirmed also in humans. It
is suggested that increase in PM and SO2 concentrations
triggers systemic inflammatory response and oxidative
stress with increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels,
C-reactive protein concentration and leukocytosis. Moreover,
altered autonomic function and unstable vasomotor reactions,
including acute vasoconstriction, were also observed.
The elderly (subjects aged 65+), diabetics, children and subjects
with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases, including
asthma, are to be the most susceptible population.
Recently published literature data suggests that even
a slight exposure to PM and/or SO2 concentrations may
result in blood pressure elevation. The improvement in
health status, with regard to cardiovascular condition, willbe possible when reduction in air pollution and both toxicology
and environmental epidemiology studies are consecutively
implemented and continued.
Arterial Hypertension 2007, vol. 11, no 5, pages 435-442.
Abstract
The results of environmental epidemiological studies give
strong evidence that air pollution of particulate matter PM10
and PM2.5, and sulphur dioxide (SO2) increases the cardiovascular
risk, influences cardiac-emergency hospital admission
rate and increases cardiovascular mortality, especially in
subjects aged over 65. It is believed to be caused by atherosclerosis
and blood pressure elevation in relation to environmental
exposure. The aim of the study was to assess current knowledge
in the light of recently published data, with regard to the
impact of air pollution with particulate matter and sulphur
dioxide on blood pressure in exposed population.
The results of experimental studies in animals revealed
direct impact of PM10, PM2.5 and SO2 on blood pressure
elevation. Those results were confirmed also in humans. It
is suggested that increase in PM and SO2 concentrations
triggers systemic inflammatory response and oxidative
stress with increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels,
C-reactive protein concentration and leukocytosis. Moreover,
altered autonomic function and unstable vasomotor reactions,
including acute vasoconstriction, were also observed.
The elderly (subjects aged 65+), diabetics, children and subjects
with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases, including
asthma, are to be the most susceptible population.
Recently published literature data suggests that even
a slight exposure to PM and/or SO2 concentrations may
result in blood pressure elevation. The improvement in
health status, with regard to cardiovascular condition, willbe possible when reduction in air pollution and both toxicology
and environmental epidemiology studies are consecutively
implemented and continued.
Arterial Hypertension 2007, vol. 11, no 5, pages 435-442.
Keywords
blood pressure; air pollution; fine particles (PM2.5); sulphur dioxide (SO2); environmental epidemiology
Title
The impact of particulate matter and sulphur dioxide on blood pressure - current knowledge
Journal
Arterial Hypertension
Issue
Vol 11, No 5 (2007)
Article type
Review paper
Pages
435-442
Published online
2007-10-03
Page views
832
Article views/downloads
4097
Bibliographic record
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2007;11(5):435-442.
Keywords
blood pressure
air pollution
fine particles (PM2.5)
sulphur dioxide (SO2)
environmental epidemiology
Authors
Małgorzata Kowalska
Łukasz Krzych