The health effects of ultrafine particles

Abstract Ultrafine particles (PM 0.1 ), which are present in the air in large numbers, pose a health risk. They generally enter the body through the lungs but translocate to essentially all organs. Compared to fine particles (PM 2.5 ), they cause more pulmonary inflammation and are retained longer in the lung. Their toxicity is increased with smaller size, larger surface area, adsorbed surface material, and the physical characteristics of the particles. Exposure to PM 0.1 induces cough and worsens asthma. Metal fume fever is a systemic disease of lung inflammation most likely caused by PM 0.1 . The disease is manifested by systemic symptoms hours after exposure to metal fumes, usually through welding. PM 0.1…