Dear Colleagues,

In many major cities, urban air is polluted due to particulate matter and toxic gases. Long-term and short-term exposures to particulate matter are linked to cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, probably via pro-inflammatory and prothrombotic pathways. Toxic chemicals linked to cardiovascular disease are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and sulphurdioxide (SO₂).

Recent research has convincingly shown the association between air pollution and cardiovascular disease. The impact of pollution in city centers is clear, as it is almost doubling the risk of coronary artery calcification in middle-aged asymptomatic citizens.  Furthermore, it has been found that variations in pollution levels may affect the mortality rates.

Elderly with pre-existing cardiovascular disease represent the most vulnerable group at risk from air pollution exposure. Suggestions to limit the time spent outdoors to reduce the infiltration of air pollution have been made. On the population level, it has been shown that life will expectancy improve if the air quality is controlled.

This Special Issue will focus on the cellular and genetic mechanisms like

• Endothelial barrier disruption
• Tissue inflammation
• Vasoconstriction
• Thrombosis
• Secondary tissue responses (like plaque instability)

Behind the following clinical topics:

• Impact of air pollution as an acute and long-term cardiovascular risk factor
• Cardiovascular mortality caused by air pollution
• Potential preventive measures for air pollution and social programs to reduce the cardiovascular risk
• Impact of traffic- and industry-caused air pollution and cardiovascular risk
• Elderly as a group at risk of air pollution-dependent cardiovascular disease
• Costs caused to the society by air pollution and the related increased cardiovascular risk

In addition to air pollution to cardiovascular risk, this Special Issue welcomes research related air pollution and other diseases:

• Respiratory and lung diseases
• Leukemia
• Birth defects
• Immune system defects
• Stroke
• Neurobehavioral disorders and developmental deficits
• Cancer

Prof. Dr. Alpo Vuorio
Guest Editor

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• air pollution
• cardiovascular risk
• coronary artery calcification
• mortality
• toxic gases
• particulate matter
• elderly
• respiratory and lung diseases
• leukemia
• birth defects
• immune system defects
• stroke
• neurobehavioral disorder
• development deficits
• cancer
• COVID-19