Exposure to Ambient Ultra-Fine Particles and Stroke

Stroke is one of the main causes of death attributed to air pollution. Significant research has now shown that urban air pollutants exposure has been established as a source of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress that causes Central Nervous System (CNS) disease. Transition metals, Particulate Matter (PM) including fine particles (PM ≤ 2.5 μm, PM 2.5) and ultra-fine particles (UFPs, PM <0.1 μm, PM 0.1), nitrogen oxide, and ozone are potent or oxidant that capable of producing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) can reach the brain and affect CNS health. Numerous biological mechanisms are responsible that are not well understood. Recent studies suggest that changes in the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) and or leakage and transmission along the olfactory nerve into the Olfactory Bulb (OB) and microglial activation are the key factors of CNS damage following exposure to air pollution. This preliminary review cites evidence that ambient PM exposure is one of the causes of stroke.