摘要：The goal of the current review is to present and analyze the known information proposed and discussed the last few years about UFP and their possible health effects. It includes references from 1992 to 2008. It also includes references from some fundamental studies in the 1970's and 1980's. The review and analysis of the health hazards induced by ultrafine particle exposure focuses on the; classification and characteristics of suspended particulate matter (PM), features and properties of PM and, specifically, ultrafine particles (UFP), the UFP movement and translocation from exposure sources in the environment to the human body and the ways of absorption and deposition within the human anatomy. Also, an extensive review of epidemiological, clinical and toxicology studies concerning possible health effects of UFP, is included. Finally, the most recent studies suggesting extrapulmonary effects and, especially, on the brain and central nervous system. Results have shown that there is significant analogy between UFP exposure and related adverse health effect risk in human beings. Cardiovascular and pulmonary systems seem to be the main targets of this exposure. New evidence shows accumulation of UFP in regions of the cerebellum, olfactory bulb and other areas of the central nervous system.
关键词：Air pollution; Ultrafine particles; Nanoparticles; Health effects; Cardiovascular system; Respiratoty system; Central Nervous System
