Ocular surface adverse effects of ambient levels of air pollution Efeitos adversos na superfície ocular relacionados à poluição ambiental

Air pollution is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air (the so called particulate matter) that vary in size, composition and origin, and different types of gases such as ozone (O 3 ), nitrogen oxides (NO 2 ), volatile organic carbons, and carbon monoxide (CO). In the recent years there has been considerable interest on the long and short-term effects of exposure to air pollution on human health. The growing industrialization and the progressive increase in the number of motor vehicles in large urban centers are the main causes of atmospheric pollution. Previous studies have indicated that the short-time increase in pollutants levels, particularly of particulate material, have generally increased the mortality rate both in the USA and in Europe. Two prospective cohort studies have also reported that the mortality risk was 26% greater for persons living in cities with elevated levels of air pollution. An important increase on the prevalence of asthma and other respiratory symptoms has been attributed to such environmental abnormalities. The adverse effects of particulate matter and other environmental pollutants are therefore well known and their effects on the respiratory and circulatory systems have generally been stressed. ABSTRACT