Notes
Review article by Dean E. Schraufnagel published in Experimental & Molecular Medicine (2020) 52:311–317, DOI 10.1038/s12276-020-0403-3, examining the health effects of ultrafine particles (PM0.1, also called nanoparticles). Covers PM0.1 sources (traffic exhaust, welding, forest fires, cooking, tobacco smoke), absorption and retention in the lung, translocation to distal organs, pulmonary inflammation, metal fume fever, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, neurological effects via olfactory nerve transport, low birthweight, and occupational exposures in welding facilities and restaurants. Discusses particle number concentrations, surface area-to-mass ratio, titanium dioxide (TiO2) toxicity, engineered nanoparticles, and the lack of international PM0.1 standards and national reporting. Exposure monitoring data from Ghana referenced.