Airborne pollutants

Airborne pollutants comprise a heterogeneous mixture of solid particles, liquid droplets, and gases suspended in the atmosphere that adversely affect human health and the environment [1]. Common components include particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide, which originate from both anthropogenic sources like vehicle emissions and natural sources like wildfires [2]. These agents are not therapeutic targets but rather etiological factors that trigger pathological processes such as oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and DNA damage [3]. They interact with biological systems by activating specific receptors like the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) or by directly generating reactive oxygen species, leading to the development or exacerbation of respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases [4]. Consequently, medical research focuses on developing therapies to counteract the physiological damage induced by these pollutants rather than targeting the pollutants themselves [5]. Exposure to these pollutants is a major global health risk, contributing significantly to non-communicable disease mortality worldwide [5].

Other names

Atmospheric pollutantsAir contaminantsAmbient air pollutionParticulate matterGaseous pollutantsXenobiotic air contaminants

Not applicable as airborne pollutants are environmental stressors and etiological factors rather than therapeutic targets.