5. How exposure to Particulate Matter
Special groups of people are more susceptible to suffer health effects due to ambient particulate matter.
5.1 Elderly people
5.2 Children
5.3 People with a pre-existing heart and lung disease, asthmatics
5.4 Socially disadvantaged and poorly educated populations.
Several epidemiological studies have linked both PM10 and specially PM2.5 with significant health problems, including:
1. Premature mortality
2. Chronic respiratory disease
3. Respiratory emergency room visits and hospital admissions,
4. Aggravated asthma,
5. Decreased lung function.