Damage to health caused by fine dust particles

The effect of PM10 and PM2.5 on humans has been investigated and proven in countless studies (over 70,000), including studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Particulate matter triggers stress and inflammation in human cells, which leads to a variety of diseases.

Damage to health caused by fine dust particles

– Respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma, reduced lung growth, bronchitis, lung cancer)

– Cardiovascular diseases (e.g. arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, blood clotting, cardiac arrhythmia)

– Metabolic diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes mellitus)

– Diseases of the nervous system (e.g. dementia)

– Increased mortality

Children are particularly affected. This is because they breathe in more air than adults in relation to their physical size. The damage caused by particulate matter can affect their entire lives. 

Older people and those with damaged airways or chronic illnesses are also at risk from particulate matter.

However, studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have shown that all types of particulate matter are harmful to human health, even if the limit values are below the recommended guidelines. There is no concentration of particulate matter (based on PM10 and PM2.5) below which a harmful effect can be ruled out.

Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to human health WHO