[THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES]

The effect of air pollution on lung diseases has been recognized for many years. During the past few years a growing body of evidence suggests a connection between air pollution and cardiovascular diseases. Amongst the different air pollutants, much attention has been focused on particulate matter which is defined as a large group of different compounds suspended in the air in the form of minute solid particles or liquid droplets. Particulate matter is broadly categorized according to aerodynamic size. Thus PM2.5 consists of fine particles, smaller than 2.5 micron and PM10 comprises fine particles and coarser particles between 2.5 and 10 micron. Bigger particles cannot usually enter airways and lungs due to their size and so their direct medical effect is minimal. In this review we will elaborate on the effect of air pollution on cardiovascular diseases, the different mechanisms by which particle exposure elicits cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the way air pollution is currently perceived and its future role as a risk factor.