Air pollution

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Abstract
This chapter reviews studies of day-to-day changes in acute exposure to air pollutants, including studies of early episodes of extremely elevated air pollution, more recent episodes with only moderately elevated concentrations of pollution, and results of numerous daily time-series studies of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations. It reviews results of recent cohort-based studies that have evaluated mortality risk and chronic, long-term exposure to air pollution. It then discusses the growing number of studies that attempt to look at specific physiological end points that may be part of the pathophysiological pathway linking cardiopulmonary mortality and particulate air pollution. Epidemiological studies have shown that air pollution, especially the fine particulate matter common to many urban and industrial environments, is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality.