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Particulate Air Pollution and CNS Health

  • Chapter
Air Pollution and Health Effects

Part of the book series: Molecular and Integrative Toxicology ((MOLECUL))

Abstract

A rich epidemiological literature base supports the association between exposures to inhaled particulate matter and decrements in cardiopulmonary health, particularly in susceptible individuals. Focus has recently been turned to the central nervous system (CNS) as a possible target for adverse effects and the mechanisms that may underlie these effects. This chapter reviews particle deposition in the respiratory tract following inhalation exposure and the fate of those particles, with an emphasis on the translocation of poorly-soluble ultrafine or nanoscale particles (<100 nm) to the brain. The consequences of accumulation in the CNS are then discussed based on evidence from animal studies of inflammatory and behavioral changes following controlled laboratory exposures. Lastly, findings of changes in human cognition and behavior following ambient particulate exposures are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA

    Alison Elder Ph.D. & Günter Oberdörster D.M.V., Ph.D.

  2. Departments of Environmental Health and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Joel Schwartz Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Alison Elder Ph.D.
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  2. Joel Schwartz Ph.D.
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  3. Günter Oberdörster D.M.V., Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alison Elder Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA

    Srikanth S. Nadadur

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    John W. Hollingsworth

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Elder, A., Schwartz, J., Oberdörster, G. (2015). Particulate Air Pollution and CNS Health. In: Nadadur, S., Hollingsworth, J. (eds) Air Pollution and Health Effects. Molecular and Integrative Toxicology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6669-6_10

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