The biological effects upon the cardiovascular system consequent to exposure to particulates of less than 500 nm in size.

CONTEXT: Ultrafine particulate matter contribution to cardiovascular disease is not known and not regulated. PM up to 500 nm are abundant in urban air and alveolar deposition is significant. OBJECTIVE: Effects beyond the alveolar barrier within the body or in vitro tissues exposed to particles <500 nm. DATABASES: MEDLINE; Ovid-MEDLINE PREM; Web of Science; PubMed (SciGlobe). 127 articles. Results in tables: "subject type exposed", "exposure type", "technique". CONCLUSION: Heart rate, vasoactivity, atherosclerotic advancement, oxidative stress, coagulability, inflammatory changes are affected. Production of reactive oxygen species is a useful target to limit outcomes associated with UFP exposure.