Short-Term Effects of Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter
- Need for respiratory support medications, such as asthma inhalers
- Increased absenteeism from work
- Increased risk of lung and heart diseases requiring hospitalization
- Higher risk of death from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease
- There may be no safe minimum threshold below which adverse health effects do not occur
Long-Term Effects of Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter
- Increased mortality from heart attacks, chronic lung diseases, stroke, and lung cancer
- An estimated reduction in average life expectancy of 3–4 months in Scotland (COMEAP, 2010)
- Statistics indicate that the number of deaths attributable to PM2.5 is increasing (assuming it is the sole cause of death—although this is not the case)
Additional Long-Term Effects of Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter
Emerging evidence, although less conclusive, has identified associations with:
- Adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight
- Childhood asthma
- Heart damage and dementia
- Chronic metabolic diseases, such as diabetes
