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Toxicity-informed control of global PM2.5 emissions
Haotian Zheng1,2,3,4, Shuxiao Wang2,5, Xiangdong Li3
1Nanjing-Helsinki Institute in Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
National Science Review
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) toxicity varies by source. Residential solid-fuel combustion causes the most toxic pollution, especially in low-income nations, highlighting environmental inequities.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health Science
- Toxicology
- Atmospheric Chemistry
Background:
- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a major global health risk.
- Current air pollution policies often overlook varying toxicity across PM2.5 sources.
- Understanding toxicity differences is crucial for effective pollution control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create the first global dataset of toxicity-adjusted PM2.5 emissions.
- To identify emission sources with the highest toxic impact.
- To reveal environmental inequities related to PM2.5 toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Integration of cell-based toxicological data with global emission inventories.
- Development of a toxicity-adjusted PM2.5 emissions dataset.
- Comparative analysis of PM2.5 mass versus toxicity hotspots.
Main Results:
- Global toxicity-adjusted PM2.5 emissions are primarily from residential solid-fuel combustion.
- Significant divergence exists between PM2.5 mass and toxicity hotspots.
- Highest toxicities are concentrated in regions using traditional biomass fuels.
- Low-income countries show disproportionately high toxicity-adjusted emissions relative to energy use.
Conclusions:
- Air pollution control strategies need to account for unequal PM2.5 toxicities.
- Residential combustion should be a key focus for emission control, particularly in vulnerable regions.
- A toxicity-informed framework can improve global health and sustainability outcomes.
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