Clearing the Air: A Review of the Effects of Particulate Matter Air Pollution on Human Health - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The authors sought to analyze some of the mechanisms involved in the association between particulate matter air pollution and human morbidity. Based on their findings, the authors also sought to highlight some recommendations for public health about the adverse effects of particulate matter. The authors relied on a systematic review approach, which gives attention to existing literature. In their systematic review, the authors considered literature published in the last 30 years. As mentioned above, they sought to identify literature that highlighted the association between particulate matter and human health.
The authors carried out a search on PubMed database using the search word (PM, air pollution, coarse particles, ultrafine particles, and fine particles). The authors selected the most relevant articles ensuring that there was a balance between both positive and negative studies. The literature review gave preference to epidemiological investigations as well as well-conducted trials. The authors used a thematic framework in the synthesis of evidence in the identified articles. Therefore, they identified articles that talked about the particulate matter and cardiovascular health effects, particulate matter and respiratory health effects, and particulate matter and cerebrovascular health effects. Under each of these themes, the authors gave specific attention to both short-term and long-term effects, the prevalence of morbidity, mortality rates, the mechanisms involved, health care utilization and medication usage. Since the study focused on a systematic review, the authors sought to discuss their findings after highlighting the main themes evident in the articles (p. 169). There were no statistical tests used in the study. However, the researchers compared the findings highlighted in the selected literature to draw their conclusions.
Findings from the systematic review highlighted that particulate matter has significant effects on the human ...Download file to see next pagesRead More