Particulate Matter (PM) is a complex, heterogeneous mixture of microscopic solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air, categorized by size, such as PM2.5 and PM10, based on their aerodynamic diameter. This pervasive environmental pollutant is clinically significant because its inhalation is directly linked to systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and the potential disruption of sensitive endocrine and metabolic systems. It represents a major environmental challenge to human hormonal health.
Origin
The term is a core concept in environmental science and toxicology, gaining prominence with the scientific recognition of air pollution’s severe detrimental impact on human respiratory and cardiovascular health. Its connection to endocrine disruption is a more recent and growing area of research within environmental endocrinology.
Mechanism
Upon inhalation, the smallest ultra-fine PM can bypass the lung’s protective barriers and enter the bloodstream, triggering a cascade of inflammatory and immune responses throughout the body. This chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation can interfere with insulin signaling pathways, alter the metabolism of thyroid hormones, and potentially dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axes, contributing to the development or exacerbation of metabolic disorders like insulin resistance.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.