Inhaled environmental/occupational irritants and allergens: mechanisms of cardiovascular and systemic responses. Introduction.

The articles in this monograph focus on the mechanisms whereby ambient particulate matter (PM) and co-pollutants deposited in the respiratory tract cause cardiovascular and systemic effects, especially in persons with preexisting conditions such as allergic hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary, cardiac, and vascular diseases. During the past few years, it has become clear that inhaled pollutants cause adverse effects outside the respiratory tract and that these effects may in some cases be more important than respiratory effects. Investigators pursuing traditional approaches to understanding mechanisms of air pollution effects need to be brought together with those outside that community who have expertise in pathogenetic mechanisms by which deposited air pollutants might affect nonrespiratory organs. To this end, a workshop was held and papers were developed from a broad range of scientists having specialized expertise in allergic and cardiovascular physiology. The overall goal of this monograph is to benchmark current thinking and enhance progress toward identifying and understanding the mechanisms by which nonrespiratory health effects occur and, by extension, to facilitate the appropriate management of relationships between air quality and health. This monograph contains a compilation of multidisciplinary research that forms a framework for generating and testing plausible new research hypotheses. Not only will this information stimulate the thinking of researchers, but it will also provide an improved foundation for funding agencies and advisory groups to frame research strategies, programs, and priorities.