What Are the Systemic Effects of Air Pollution Visible in Histology?
While the respiratory system is the primary target, air pollution can have systemic effects observable in other tissues. For instance, pollutants can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the cardiovascular system, leading to atherosclerosis, which is characterized histologically by the accumulation of lipids and immune cells within arterial walls. Additionally, there is evidence that air pollution can affect the nervous system, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal damage, which can be observed in brain tissue samples.