ULTRAFINE PARTICLES IN AMBIENT AIR AND HEALTH Ivan Eržen , Peter Otorepec , Vesna Lesjak

1. ULTRAFINE PARTICLES IN AMBIENT AIR AND HEALTHIvan Eržen, Peter Otorepec, VesnaLesjak

2. MAIN AIRBORNE POLLUTANTS Fine particles Ozone Nitrogen oxides Carbon monoxide Benzene

3. DEFINITION OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES Large particles bigger than 10 μm Fine particles smaller than 10 μm Ultrafine particles smaller than 0,1 μm nose, pharynx 5 – 10 µm windpipe bronchi 2 – 3 µm small bronchial tubes 1 – 2 µm alveolus 0.1 – 1 µm

4. SOME PARTICLE COMPOUNDS metals (iron, copper) – damage to genetic material, inflammation organic solvents – damage to genetic material, carcinogenic  biological material (viruses, plant parts) –inflammation, allergies reactive gases (ozone) – tissue damamges the main components of most particles ist carbon, and various pollutants added to it – irritation, chronic inflammation, changes in chemical bonding, pulmonary fibrosis

5. DEFINITION OF ULTRAFINE PARTICLES (UFP- Ultra Fine Particles) UFP are extremly small particles with na aerodinamic diameter of 0.1 micrometers or less As regards to numbers they are the biggest fraction of fine particles As regards mass they represent a very small part of all fine particles Their spatial arrangement is probably differnet as is the case for bigger particles

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF UFP UFP inflitrate deeper into the lungs as other particles Due to their high numbers and small diameter UFP have a high total area, which carries many toxins They are potentially more toxic than other particles

7. SOURCES OF UFP UFP in ambient air are formed from gasses or they develop at combustion processes Important sources are: traffic (exhaust gases, braking, tyres) heating systems (residues of wood) industrial exhausts The toxicity of UFP depends on other pollutants in the air and they are attaching to theses particles

8. IMPACT OF UFP ON HEALTH As research shows UFP have more explicit health impacts as other particles The mode of their impact is highly complex: oxidative stress (inflammation) activation of the autonomic nervous system direct effect on internal organs (heart, brains, liver, bone marrow) transition to the brains via olfactory bulbs

9. IMPACTS OF FINE PARTICLES ON HEALTH Lungs: Oxidative stress Inflammation Development of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPB Decrease in lung functions

10. IMPACTS OF FINE PARTICLES ON HEALTH Heart: Oxidative stress Impaired functions of the autonomic nervous system (vagus) Increased sensitivity of the heart muscle Disturbed heart conductivity

11. IMPACTS OF FINE PARTICLES ON HEALTH Blood: Increased blood clotting Particles travelling through body Blood clots in peripheral body parts Reduced oxygen transport

12. HEALTH IMPACTS OF FINE PARTICLES Blood vessels: Atherosclerosis, acceleratd formation and decomposition of plaque on the inside of blood vessels Lesions of the the endothelium of blood vessels Cramps of blood vessels and increased blood pressure poorer circulation of the central nervous system – stroke

13. CHALLENGES CONCERNING UFP Measuring the occurrence of these particles in ambient air Evaluating spatial distribution of UFP Studying the mechanisms for developoment of illnesses and Measuring consequences on human health

14. UFIREG – EU project The project is aimed as a support for the formation of an environmental policy in Europe (Clean Air Plan for Europe) The general intention of the project is raising awareness in public on the need to adopt provisions on the basis of scientific evidence and to protect people‘s health

15. UFIREG – EU project The goal of the project is to define the state of ambient air pollution with ultrafine particles (UFP) and to examine, if exposure to these particles provokes health consequences

16. UFIREG – EU project Operation method MEASUREMENTS: measurements of UFP on 5 locations – establishing the numeric and mass concentration

17. UFIREG – EU project OPERATIONAL METHOD RESEARCHING HEALTH IMPACTS: monitoring of the general mortality rate and mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases monitoring of hospitalisations due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases Additional in Slovenia: monitoring of outpatient visits due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases

18. UFIREG – EU project OPERATIONAL METHOD RESEARCHING HEALTH IMPACTS: Defining more sensitive groups as regards to age or gender

19. UFIREG – EU project AIM RESEARCHING HEALTH IMPACTS: Establishing whether changes in daily mortality rates and hospitalisations are connected with changes in numbers and concentration of UFP on the same or previous days Studying whether the influence of UFP is irrelevant to other airborne pollutants – especially PM10 and PM2.5 Additional in Slovenia: Reviewing, if changes of outpatient visits due to cardio vascular and respiratory diseases are linked with changes in numbers and concentration of UFP on the same or previous days

20. UFIREG – EU project BASIC ASSUMPTIONS UFP are connected with admittance to hospitals and with mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases The connection is linear The connection of UFP is independent of PM effects Additional in Slovenia: UFP are linked with outpatient visits due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases