[Effects of air pollution on cardiovascular mortality]

Air pollution consists from a mixture of gases, fluids and solid particles. The highest attention receive the fine particulate matter (less than 10 microm in diameter), containing thousands of different substances and being able to penetrate the bronchial tree. The smaller particles (less than 2.5 microm in diameter) penetrate up to the alveoli and the finest ones into the blood stream. Within their deposits, particles trigger a cascade of inflammatory reactions and an oxidative stress. They initiate many short-term and long-term pathophysiological processes. Epidemiologic surveys demonstrate that the higher concentration of pollutants is usually related to the higher overall and particularly cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Negative effects are usually rather small and can be drown with other factors, namely the classical risk factors. Because pollution affects many people its effects can be very serious. It was confirmed in the US that the long lasting decrease of air pollution is accompanied with the prolongation of the average life expectancy.