Air Pollution-Related Illness: Effects of Particles

Particle pollutants are estimated to cause more than 500,000 deaths annually. In his perspective, Nel describes how the adverse effects of ultrafine air particles are linked to their ability to gain access to the lung and systemic circulation, where toxic components lead to tissue damage and inflammation. Increased insight into which particle components are most damaging, and the molecular mechanisms of injury, will help to prevent PM mortality.