Surfactant-ultrafine particle interactions: what we can learn from PM10 studies

There is increased concern about the associations between particulate air p ollution and human health. Inhaled and deposited particles play a crucial r ole in the aetiology of a range of pulmonary diseases. A variety of pulmona ry diseases develop from the inhalation and deposition of pathogenic organi sms or noxious particles (e.g. viruses, bacteria, spores, pollen, etc.). Th e inhalation of soot, burned tobacco and paper leads to common pulmonary di seases: chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. It has been suggested that ultrafine particles might be taken up by cells, including by airway epithelial cells, through a process related to the surf ace forces exerted on them at the cell membrane-particle interfacial region .