Toxicological Effects of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Health Risks and Associated Systemic Injuries-Systematic Review.

Abstract

Previous studies focused on investigating particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5µm (PM2.5) have shown therisk 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 PM2.5's toxic impacts on human health. The Web of Science database searchused descriptive terms to investigate theinteraction among PM2.5 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, PM2.5 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, thecorrelation between COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2 and PM2.5 exposure was also assessed to help better understand the role ofatmospheric pollution in the pathophysiology of this disease. Despite the significant number of studies about PM2.5'seffects 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 PM2.5 exposure on different systems, and demonstrate the likely interaction of COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2 and PM2.5.