Extramural Research
Presentation Abstract
Grantee Research Project Results
Morton Lippmann
New York University Particulate Matter Research Center, New York, NY
This presentation focuses on the topic of exposures to PM of ambient
air origin and their health effects from a holistic and descriptive perspective,
and is complementary to Dr. Froines’ discussion on the same topic,
which emphasizes the biological mechanisms that account for the health
effects. It reviews basic knowledge used to establish the current PM NAAQS
in 1997 on the sources of fine particle (PM2.5) and thoracic particles
(PM10) that are emitted to the atmosphere (primary particles) and formed
in the atmosphere (secondary aerosol), their deposition in the respiratory
tract, and their associations with excess mortality and morbidity. It
discusses newly acquired knowledge in EPA’s PM Research Centers
that has greatly broadened our knowledge of ambient air distribution of
PM and its chemical components. Ongoing Center efforts more closely associate
health impacts in humans and laboratory animals with specific PM components
and mixtures associated with major source categories (such as windblown
soil and combustion in stationary and mobile sources) and in subcategories
of the combustion-related sources, according to the fuels burned. Future
research directions will focus on relating the source category and component
based concentrations to specific effects in the cardiac, pulmonary, cancer,
and other significant effects categories. Progress in this area will help
EPA focus its monitoring and control efforts effectively in meeting its
obligations to protect the public health from PM air pollution.