title: [Health effects of particulate matter exposure: current scientific knowledge].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Air quality is not only important for respiratory health but it also influences the homeostasis of the whole human organism. In the past years numerous violations of European Union particulate matter thresholds have been recorded.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study is a selective literature analysis encompassing the epidemiology and pathophysiological effects of particulate matter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epidemiological studies point to an association between chronic particulate matter exposure and mortality. The most prominent effects on the human body are present in subjects with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions. However, the effects of air pollutants need to be examined critically and the plausibility of thresholds should be evaluated in detail.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The negative influences of chronic particulate matter exposure have been proven by a multitude of epidemiological and experimental studies. From the viewpoint of primary prevention, air quality plays a crucial role. This encompasses both the outdoor compartment with particulate matter and other pollutants and the indoor compartment with tobacco smoke.
authors: Institut für Arbeitsmedizin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin. arbeitsmedizin@charite.de
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Groneberg
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Morfeld
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kraus
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Köhler
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Krug
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Magnussen
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Nowak
authors: K F
authors: KF
authors: Rabe
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Schultze-Werninghaus
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Schulz
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Teschler
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Vogelmeier
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Wagner
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Welte
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Voshaar
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Witt
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter