Adverse health effects of ambient air pollution in general, and particulate matter (PM) in particular, have drawn considerable attention over recent years. Health effects range from increases in respiratory symptoms and increased rescue medication use, to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease deteriorations resulting in emergency room treatments, and even reduced lung growth in children. Additionally, considerable attention has been focused on increased mortality in respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Estimates, although uncertain, have suggested an equal or exceeded number of premature deaths per year, as compared with traffic accidents. This article reviews the systematical appraisal of the existing literature on health effects of fine and coarse particulate air pollution. Even though systematical searches may often be assumed as a foundation for review papers, this is not always performed. Herein lies the strength of the present article, and most importantly, the authors come to different conclusions than earlier paradigms when all available literature is taken into account.

URL: http://erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/reprint/26/2/187