Nanoparticles are an invisible component of our environment. They are present in the environment as a result of natural processes, and they also occur in various anthropogenic activities. In recent times, there are also more and more planned new nanomaterials that are being used in various fields. Consequently, the potential exposure of humans to nanoparticles is greater. Due to their small size, nanoparticles have different properties and also have a different impact on health than larger particles of the same chemical composition. Epidemiological studies have shown the effects of ultrafine particles (nanoparticles in the air) on respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems. Some studies have shown the possibility of harmful effects of nanoparticles on embryonic development and on the development of diabetes. It is important that with appropriate measures and approaches we control the exposure to nanoparticles or avoid them as much as possible, thereby reducing the unwanted intake of nanoparticles into the body.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3910885
Ultrafine particles are outdoor air pollutants, the exposure to which is associated with morbidity and mortality for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study is to assess the temporal variability of ultrafine particle number concentrations in outdoor air and daily counts of deaths from respiratory diseases. Epidemiological ecological temporal variability study lasted 731 days. The observed population included residents of the Municipality of Ljubljana, who died of respiratory diseases in the observed period. Descriptive statistics was implemented. The highest daily counts of deaths from respiratory diseases in 2012 were in the periods February-April, May-June, and October. The next periods with the highest daily counts of deaths from respiratory diseases repeated again in the periods December 2012-April 2013, May-July 2013, and October 2013. These periods coincide with the periods of increased levels of ultrafine particle number concentrations. We concluded that there was a temporal variability association between the periods with higher daily counts of deaths from respiratory diseases and heightened levels, of ultrafine particle number concentrations. Research of the ultrafine particles’ effect in outdoor air on public health is a new scientific field in public health, which because of its complexity needs an interdisciplinary approach.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3846885
Introduction: Epidemiological studies of the outdoor air pollution health effect assessment present evidence on which public health measures and policies are formed. Aim: To arrange and present all epidemiological studies which assessed the association between outdoor air pollution and health in Slovenia. Methods: Literature review in bibliographical database COBISS and Google Scholar was prepared and presented systematically and chronologically. Results and discussions: Up until June 2016 in Slovenia nine epidemiological studies of outdoor air pollution health effect assessment have been published. Studies were implemented at the individual and at the population level. The most frequently observed areas of observation were Zasavje region and primorska region. In all studies observed health outcomes were individual or all respiratory diseases. Conclusion: Authors of the studies have associated negative health effect to particles with aerodynamic diameter 10 µm or less (PM10) in winter season in Zasavje region and to ozone (O3) in primorska region in summer.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3709925