Particulate matter (PM2,5 and PM10), properties and epidemiological significance for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. A review of the literature on the effects of short- and long-term exposure

The growing awareness of air quality in our country has triggered a keen interest in its impact on human health. Much of the interest has focused on the concentration of particulate matter. This work is an attempt to synthetically present the significance of particulate matter and the most important health effects. Suspended dust in the air is pollution of special epidemiological significance. It is indicative of air quality and is also the basis for estimating the effect of air pollution on health. This paper presents a short historical overview of suspended dust measurements and its significance in epidemiological research. Its impact on health in terms of short-term exposure as well as long-term exposure is presented according to the meta-analysis conducted by the World Health Organization. The remainder of the paper gives a review of the literature on the impact of particulate matter on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as the most important health effect of particulate matter.