Table 1

Particle-specific adverse health effects of the 3 particle types under consideration.


Adverse effects

Particle
Pulmonary
Extra-pulmonary
Asbestos
Interstitial fibrosis, bronchogenic carcinoma, pleural mesothelioma, pleural fibrosis, pleural plaques
Peritoneal mesothelioma, Autoimmune disease

Quartz
Nodular fibrosis, small airways disease, bronchogenic carcinoma, pleural fibrosis
Autoimmune disease

PM10
Increased lung cancer risk Exacerbations of COPD, Development of COPD Exacerbations of asthma
Deaths and hospitalisations for cardiovascular disease,

Donaldson et al. Particle and Fibre Toxicology 2009 6:13   doi:10.1186/1743-8977-6-13