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1601250 
Journal Article 
Airborne particulate matter and human health: A review 
Davidson, CI; Phalen, RF; Solomon, PA 
2005 
Yes 
Aerosol Science and Technology
ISSN: 0278-6826
EISSN: 1521-7388 
39 
8 
737-749 
WOS:000231474900006 
Results of recent research show that particulate matter (
PM) composition and size vary widely with both space and time. Despite the variability in PM
characteristics, which are believed to influence human health risks, the observed relative health
risk estimates per unit PM mass falls within a narrow range of values. Furthermore, no single
chemical species appears to dominate health effects; rather the effects appear to be due to a
combination of species. Non-PM factors such as socioeconomic status and lifestyle are also
believed to affect the health risk, although accounting for these confounding factors is
challenging. Airborne PM is also responsible for a number of effects aside from human health,
such as alterations in visibility and climate. Because the PM problem is associated with a range
of societal issues such as energy production and economic development, making progress on
reducing the effects of PM will require integrated strategies that bring together scientists and
decision makers from different disciplines to consider tradeoffs holistically.