Fine particles: what danger to health?

According to the National Institute of Cancer (Incas), the fine particles represent one of the main risk factors related to air pollution in an urban environment.

This name actually designates particles in suspension in theatmosphere whose diameter is less than 2.5 microns, also denoted PM2.5. They are thus distinguished from coarser particles, whose penetration into thetree bronchus is much lower. Below 1 micron, we even speak of ultrafine particles.

In France, at the national level, according to the figures of the Interprofessional Technical Study Committee of the atmospheric pollution (Citepafile on airborne dust), 43% of emissions of fine particles come from residences at the wood burningfrom coalfrom fuel oil… The manufacturing industry accounts for 9.5%, theAgriculture and the forestry 4.7%, diesel vehicles 8.4% and the construction 6.6%.

Fine particles: pregnant women, children, the elderly are the most vulnerable

PM2.5 is small enough to seep into lungs to the deepest of the alveoli and even cross the paper masks. Their effects on health are still poorly known but indisputable. Pregnant women, children, the elderly, patients suffering from pathologies cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, diabetes and obesity are among the most sensitive. Fine particles are particularly toxic because they penetrate deeply into the lungs and the bronchial tree.

In October 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified all fine particles, as well as air pollutionair outside, as certain carcinogens (group 1) for humans.

Exposure to fine particles deprives up to 8.6 months of life

According to European Commissionas of January 31, 2013, “more than 80% of Europeans are exposed to levels of particles higher than those recommended by the air quality guidelines issued by theWHO in 2005. This exposure deprives each individual on average of 8.6 months of their life”. The first results of the WHO study REVIHAAP (Review of evidence on health aspects of air pollution) also show a link with ” L’atherosclerosisbirth disturbances and respiratory diseases in children” and “a possible link with neurodevelopment, cognitive function and diabetes”.

According to a 2005 study commissioned by the European Commission, fine particles are the cause, each year in Europe, of 100,000 deaths and 725,000 years of life lost. In France, between 600 and 1,000 deaths from lung cancer are attributable to them. That’s 6% to 11% of lung cancer mortality. As for deaths from cardiorespiratory diseases, the number of those due to fine particles is estimated at between 3,000 and 5,000. Here again, it is therefore 5% to 7% of mortality that is inherent in chronic exposure to pollution…