Back to Journals » International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease » Volume 4

Particulate matter air pollution exposure: role in the development and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Authors Ling S, van Eeden SF

Published 10 June 2009 Volume 2009:4 Pages 233—243

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S5098

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



Sean H Ling, Stephan F van Eeden

James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre for Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Research and Heart and Lung Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract: Due to the rapid urbanization of the world population, a better understanding of the detrimental effects of exposure to urban air pollution on chronic lung disease is necessary. Strong epidemiological evidence suggests that exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution causes exacerbations of pre-existing lung conditions, such as, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. However, little is known whether a chronic, low-grade exposure to ambient PM can cause the development and progression of COPD. The deposition of PM in the respiratory tract depends predominantly on the size of the particles, with larger particles deposited in the upper and larger airways and smaller particles penetrating deep into the alveolar spaces. Ineffective clearance of this PM from the airways could cause particle retention in lung tissues, resulting in a chronic, low-grade inflammatory response that may be pathogenetically important in both the exacerbation, as well as, the progression of lung disease. This review focuses on the adverse effects of exposure to ambient PM air pollution on the exacerbation, progression, and development of COPD.

Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, particulate matter, air pollution, alveolar macrophage

Creative Commons License © 2009 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.