Cardiovascular Disease and Fine Particulate Matter: Lessons and Limitations of an Integrated Exposure-Response Approach

Abstract

Substantial evidence indicates that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter from multiple combustion sources contributes to cardiovascular disease. An integrated exposure-response approach uses evidence from exposures to air pollution, second hand smoke, and active cigarette smoking to explore mortality exposure-risk relationships. Although there are limitations, this approach provides a useful framework to evaluate consistency and coherency of the evidence and to estimate burden of disease from air pollution.

Keywords: air pollution; cardiovascular diseases; particulate matter; risk; smoke.