Ultrafine particles: unique physicochemical properties relevant to health and disease

Abstract Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are aerosols with an aerodynamic diameter of 0.1 µm (100 nm) or less. There is a growing concern in the public health community about the contribution of UFPs to human health. Despite their modest mass and size, they dominate in terms of the number of particles in the ambient air. A particular concern about UFPs is their ability to reach the most distal lung regions (alveoli) and circumvent primary airway defenses. Moreover, UFPs have a high surface area and a capacity to adsorb a substantial amount of toxic organic compounds. Harmful systemic health effects of PM 10 or PM 2.5 are often attributable to the UFP fraction. In this review, we examine the physicochemical…

• KH
  Korea Health Industry Development Institute