LAUSR

Population-based cohort studies have shown robustly the link between ambient fine particulate matter and mortality. The evidence was essential for the formulation of the ambient air quality guidelines 2021 issued by the World Health Organization. The presentation will summarize the findings that underpin the updated guidelines and highlight the need to alignment of standards to these guidelines. In addition, the presentation will discuss the biological mechanisms underlying the associations of the ambient air pollution with mortality. Specifically, the presentation will build on the review proposing eight hallmarks of environmental insults published in 2021 (Peters, Nawrot et al. 2021). Examples linking fine particle exposure to molecular phenotypes in cohort studies will be given. Thereby, novel insights based on molecular epidemiology will be discussed. In an outlook, future research needs will be highlighted. Reference Peters, A., T. S. Nawrot and A. A. Baccarelli (2021). "Hallmarks of environmental insults." Cell 184(6): 1455-1468.