Effects of Fine Particulate Matter Exposure on Human Heart Rate Variability

[Objective] Many studies have shown that exposure to ambient particles are associated with cardiovascular events, although the mechanism remains to be clarified. To identify whether exposures to ambient particles act on autonomic function alterations, we examined associations between particles and heart rate variability. [Methods] One hundred and five field traffic policemen and 100 community residents in urban Shanghai were recruited as airborne fine particulate matter high-exposure group and common exposure group respectively. Fine particulate matter exposure levels for 24-hr were measured for all subjects and their heart rate variability indicators were also detected. [Results] The exposure levels of traffic policemen to fine particulate matter were much higher than community residents, and the HRV parameters (such as SDNN, TV, and HF (NU) of traffic police group were significantly reduced, but for the LF / HF parameter, the traffic police group was significantly higher. In addition, with the length of service increase, the heart rate variability presented a decreasing trend in the traffic policemen group. [Conclusion] Exposure to air fine particles may reduce HRV, and the decreased heart autonomic function may impact on the cardiac health status.