ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Impact of Air Pollution on Chronic
Respiratory Diseases
Vesna Tomić Spirić1, Slavenka Janković2, Aleksandra Jović Vraneš3,
Jadranka Maksimović2, Nataša Maksimovic2
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1Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, and Clinic of Allergology and Immunology,
Clinical Center of Serbia, Višegradska 26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
2Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade,
Višegradska 26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
3Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade,
Dr. Subotića 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2012;21(2):481-490
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Air pollution is one of the world’s most serious environmental problems. Air pollutants continue to be
major contributing factors to chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and
asthma), cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. We conducted a systematic literature review to provide some
insight into what we currently know about the health problems associated with various air pollutants (especially
ozone and particulate matter) and their relationship in promoting chronic respiratory diseases.
Additionally, an overview of methodology used for evaluating the impact of air pollution on chronic respiratory
diseases was done. A literature search targeted studies on the association between the effects of air pollution
and respiratory health endpoints published between January 2000 and June 2010.