Internal Exposure and Distribution of Airborne Fine Particles in the Human Body: Methodology, Current Understandings, and Research Needs

Exposure to airborne fine particles (PM2.5, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) severely threatens global human health. Understanding the distribution and processes of inhaled PM2.5 in the human body is crucial to clarify the causal links between PM2.5 pollution and diseases. In contrast to extensive research on the emission and formation of PM2.5 in the ambient environment, reports about the occurrence and fate of PM2.5 in humans are still limited, although many studies have focused on the exposure and adverse effects of PM2.5 with animal models. It has been shown that PM2.5, especially ultrafine particles (UFPs), have the potential to go across different biological barriers and translocate into different human organs (i.e., blood circulation, brain, heart, pleural cavity, and placenta). In this Perspective, we summarize the factors affecting the internal exposure of PM2.5 and the relevant analytical methodology and review current knowledge about the exposure pathways and distribution of PM2.5 in humans. We also discuss the research challenges and call for more studies on the identification and characterization of key toxic species of PM2.5, quantification of internal exposure doses in the general population, and further clarification of translocation, metabolism, and clearance pathways of PM2.5 in the human body. In this way, it is possible to develop toxicity-based air quality standards instead of the currently used mass-based standards.