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PM Health Outcomes Science

Graphic of lungs

Exposure to outdoor air pollutants is often difficult to avoid. The air we breathe may contain contaminants that are harmful to the lungs and sometimes to organs such as the heart and brain or biological systems.

Impacts on the lungs may take several forms. Short-term effects include deficits in lung function that can limit breathing, especially in exercise. Irritants like ozone, acidic gases, and toxic components of particulate matter (PM) may cause airway constriction or chest tightening that is uncomfortable or limiting to normal activity. These changes in lung function sometimes have underlying lung tissue inflammation which over the long term may lead to chronic lung disease.

Individuals with underlying lung disease are most susceptible to the impacts of air pollutants.  And effects may be greater for those who have genetic sensitivities to air pollutants, although the science of genetic factors is still being explored.

Recently, PM has been linked to adverse cardiac effects. Individuals with pre-existent cardiopulmonary diseases or the aged are thought to be most at risk from PM exposure.
Cardiac events may be mediated through vascular or blood clotting effects, but much remains uncertain. What is known is that people at higher risk can die after exposure to PM or develop life-threatening health problems that lead to hospitalization or medical interventions.

Science produced by EPA’s Clean Air Research Program in the Office of Research and Development provides the foundation for much of our knowledge about the health outcomes of air pollutants, particularly ozone, PM, and other common air pollutants or criteria pollutants regulated by EPA. 

Health effects research is focused on several critical areas:

Learn more about PM research contributions (PDF) (208 pp, 4.1 MB, About PDF)

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