Exposure to Urban Air Pollution Nanoparticles: Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

It is estimated that more than two-thirds of air pollution-related deaths are due to cardiovascular causes. Significant studies have now indicated that exposure to urban air pollutants is known to be a source of oxidative stress and inflammation that causes cardiovascular disease. Nitrogen oxides, Particulate Matter (PM) such as coarse particle (PM10, PM <10μm), fine particles (PM2.5, PM <2.5μm) and Ultra-Fine Particles (UFPs or PM0.1, PM <0.1μm,), ozone and transition metals are oxidant potent capable of producing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Although several biological mechanisms are involved in cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress is an important observation in many levels of cardiovascular failure due to exposure to air pollutants. This mini-review cites evidence that oxidative stress is a key pathway for various cardiovascular measures of exposure to air pollution.