Particulate matter 2.5 accelerates aging: Exploring cellular senescence and age-related diseases
Shengnan Wang, Yan‐Chuan Shi, Shu Lin, He-Fan He
Abstract
Exposure to Particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5 ) accelerates aging, causing declines in tissue and organ function, and leading to diseases such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and musculoskeletal disorders. PM 2.5 is a major environmental pollutant and an exogenous pathogen in air pollution that is now recognized as an accelerator of human aging and a predisposing factor for several age-related diseases. In this paper, we seek to elucidate the mechanisms by which PM 2.5 induces cellular senescence, such as genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and age-related diseases. Our goal is to increase awareness among researchers within the field of the toxicity of environmental pollutants and to advocate for personal and public health initiatives to curb their production and enhance population protection. Through these endeavors, we aim to promote longevity and health in older adults. • There exists a relationship between PM 2.5 and the aging of the human body. • PM 2.5 induces organismal aging from the cellular and microscopic levels. • PM 2.5 leads to numerous diseases associated with aging.