Effects of Ultrafine Particles on Cardiopulmonary System: a Population-Based Approach

The association between exposure to ambient fine particles and increased risk of cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality has been well documented in previous studies. It has also been reported that children, elderly and cardiac patients tend to be most vulnerable to fine particles exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European Union and World Health Organization (WHO) gave a clue to how seriously it takes this issue, awarding the largest scientific research grant to study links between particulate air pollution and cardiopulmonary diseases. Particulate air pollution can be classified as into coarse fraction, fine fraction and ultrafine fraction. Generally, larger particles demonstrate a greater fractional deposition in the extrathoracic and upper tracheobronchial regions, whereas smaller particles show greater deposition in the deep lung. Ultrafine particles demonstrate very high deposition in human alveoli and blood circulation. Therefore, the potential adverse effect of particles, especially smaller size particles (fine and ultrafine fractions) on cardiopulmonary health have been highly concerned in these decades. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between ultrafine particles exposure and cardiopulmonary effects among general population in Taiwan. We will collect fine and ultrafine particles data from Taiwan air quality monitoring network and air sampling and analysis. The health data, such as high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), blood pressure and lung function among general population will be collected by other research team will be combined with our fine and ultrafine particles data and then be analyzed by using time-series models. Our study results can contribute to clarify current hypothesis of ultrafine particles toxicity through the cardiopulmonary pathways. The study results can also contribute to Taiwan EPA in air quality criteria and air pollution control policy.