Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Ischaemic Heart Disease in Chinese Cities: A narrative review

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between fine particulate matter and ischaemic heart disease. A literature search was conducted using six electronic databases (Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Web of Science) and the University of Queensland’s online library. A list of important sources was compiled and reviewed, and the ten best resources selected, based on their focus on Chinese cities and the administrative city of Hong Kong. The other criterion used to select the articles was that they must address and contain at least one outcome of the relationship between particulate matter and ischaemic heart disease. The result of the review indicates that both types of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) have a strong association with ischaemic heart disease. Low and high concentrations of particulate matter have unhealthy effects on ischaemic heart disease mortality, morbidity, emergency visits and hospital admissions. Elderly subjects appear more susceptible to the harmful effects of particulate matter. In this narrative review, particulate air pollution manifests higher ischaemic heart disease risk in male, this can be attributed to high exposure level of air pollution and tobacco smoking in men than women in China. Staying at home or using a face mask during low and elevated levels of particulate matter concentration will help improve the cardiovascular health of vulnerable people. The health consequences of particulate matter cannot be ignored in the prevention of ischaemic heart disease. Policy makers in China and Hong Kong should target the implementation of appropriate measures that will reduce particulate matter exposure