title: Biomarker as a research tool in linking exposure to air particles and respiratory health.
abstract: Some of the environmental toxicants from air pollution include particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and ultrafine particles (UFP). Both short- and long-term exposure could result in various degrees of respiratory health outcomes among exposed persons, which rely on the individuals' health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper, we highlight a review of the studies that have used biomarkers to understand the association between air particles exposure and the development of respiratory problems resulting from the damage in the respiratory system. Data from previous epidemiological studies relevant to the application of biomarkers in respiratory system damage reported from exposure to air particles are also summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on these analyses, the findings agree with the hypothesis that biomarkers are relevant in linking harmful air particles concentrations to increased respiratory health effects. Biomarkers are used in epidemiological studies to provide an understanding of the mechanisms that follow airborne particles exposure in the airway. However, application of biomarkers in epidemiological studies of health effects caused by air particles in both environmental and occupational health is inchoate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biomarkers unravel the complexity of the connection between exposure to air particles and respiratory health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nur Faseeha
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4040-5526
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Suhaimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7910-6945
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jalaludin
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity*; D015619:Respiratory System Abnormalities / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D015415:Biomarkers; D052638:Particulate Matter