Does Long-term Exposure to Traffic-Related Particulate Matter Air Pollution Increase the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease?

Traffic-related air pollution levels have consistently been associated with increased overall mortality and morbidity. Effects of exposure to particulate matter (PM) on the heart have been of particular interest, as the elevation of fine particulates (PM₂.₅) has shown strongest association with increased risk of myocardial infarction, as well as ischemic cardiovascular disease, possibly via accelerated atherosclerosis. The objective of this paper is to gather currently available evidence on whether long-term exposure to elevated traffic-related PM₂.₅ increases the risk of developing coronary artery diseases, as measured through indicators of atherosclerosis. The population of interest is urban adults who are not diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Since the entire urban population is exposed to at least some level of PM₂.₅, comparisons were made between individuals who were exposed to different levels of PM₂.₅ on a continuous scale. Course name: Epidemiological Methods 1Medicine, Faculty ofPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofUnreviewedGraduat