Toxicological Effects of Fine Particulate Matter (PM(2.5)): Health Risks and Associated Systemic Injuries—Systematic Review

Previous studies focused on investigating particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM(2.5)) have shown the risk of disease development, and association with increased morbidity and mortality rates. The current review investigate epidemiological and experimental findings from 2016 to 2021, which enabled the systemic overview of PM(2.5)’s toxic impacts on human health. The Web of Science database search used descriptive terms to investigate the interaction among PM(2.5) exposure, systemic effects, and COVID-19 disease. Analyzed studies have indicated that cardiovascular and respiratory systems have been extensively investigated and indicated as the main air pollution targets. Nevertheless, PM(2.5) reaches other organic systems and harms the renal, neurological, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. Pathologies onset and/or get worse due to toxicological effects associated with the exposure to this particle type, since it can trigger several reactions, such as inflammatory responses, oxidative stress generation and genotoxicity. These cellular dysfunctions lead to organ malfunctions, as shown in the current review. In addition, the correlation between COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2 and PM(2.5) exposure was also assessed to help better understand the role of atmospheric pollution in the pathophysiology of this disease. Despite the significant number of studies about PM(2.5)'s effects on organic functions, available in the literature, there are still gaps in knowledge about how this particulate matter can hinder human health. The current review aimed to approach the main findings about the effect of PM(2.5) exposure on different systems, and demonstrate the likely interaction of COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2 and PM(2.5).