Aerosol Science: Technology and Applications

Chapter 9

Air Pollution and Health and the Role of Aerosols

Pat Goodman¹ and Otto Hänninen²

¹School of Physics, Environmental Health Sciences Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland

²Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Finland

9.1 Background

This chapter investigates the literature for evidence of adverse health effects associated with exposure to air pollution, and specifically to the size range of pollution particle associated with this. Specifically, we discuss the evidence linking exposure to aerosols with adverse health outcomes. Although there is significant evidence pertaining to adverse health effects in employees in certain types of industry, this chapter concentrates on effects in the general public. Presenting a comprehensive review of all papers on aerosols and health is not possible; the vast number of original papers reflects both the importance as well as challenges in this research area. We aim at giving an overview of the main findings and current understanding on the relationship of aerosols, especially ultrafine particles, and health of general populations. There may well be other papers that are not cited but which provide similar results: it would be impossible to cite all relevant publications within this chapter. The Health Effects Institute (HEI) has conducted an expert review of the state of knowledge surrounding ultrafine particles (UFPs) and health, which by its nature is more detailed than the overview presented ...