Ambient fine particulate matter and cardiopulmonary health risks in China

In China, the level of ambient fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) pollution far exceeds the air quality standards recommended by the World Health Organization. Moreover, the health effects of PM(2.5) exposure have become a major public health issue. More than half of PM(2.5)-related excess deaths are caused by cardiopulmonary disease, which has become a major health risk associated with PM(2.5) pollution. In this review, we discussed the latest epidemiological advances relating to the health effects of PM(2.5) on cardiopulmonary diseases in China, including studies relating to the effects of PM(2.5) on mortality, morbidity, and risk factors for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. These data provided important evidence to highlight the cardiopulmonary risk associated with PM(2.5) across the world. In the future, further studies need to be carried out to investigate the specific relationship between the constituents and sources of PM(2.5) and cardiopulmonary disease. These studies provided scientific evidence for precise reduction measurement of pollution sources and public health risks. It is also necessary to identify effective biomarkers and elucidate the biological mechanisms and pathways involved; this may help us to take steps to reduce PM(2.5) pollution and reduce the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.