US EPA

2094254 

Journal Article 

Review 

Particulate Matter Containing Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals and Adverse Infant Respiratory Health Effects: A Review 

Saravia, J; Lee, GI; Lomnicki, S; Dellinger, B; Cormier, SA 

2013 

No 

Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology
ISSN: 1095-6670
EISSN: 1099-0461 

27 

1 

56-68 

English 

23281110 

10.1002/jbt.21465 

WOS:000313777200007 

The health impacts of airborne particulate matter (PM) are of global concern, and the direct implications to the development/exacerbation of lung disease are immediately obvious. Most studies to date have sought to understand mechanisms associated with PM exposure in adults/adult animal models; however, infants are also at significant risk for exposure. Infants are affected differently than adults due to drastic immaturities, both physiologically and immunologically, and it is becoming apparent that they represent a critically understudied population. Highlighting our work funded by the ONES award, in this review we argue the understated importance of utilizing infant models to truly understand the etiology of PM-induced predisposition to severe, persistent lung disease. We also touch upon various mechanisms of PM-mediated respiratory damage, with a focus on the emerging importance of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) ubiquitously present in combustion-derived PM. In conclusion, we briefly comment on strengths/challenges facing current PM research, while giving perspective on how we may address these challenges in the future. 

Particulate Matter; Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals; Infant; Respiratory Health; Immunomodulation