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Respiratory disease: Effects of airborne ultrafine particles The ultrafine particles (UFPs) in air pollution aggravate respiratory illnesses via oxidative stress and inflammation, according to a review by South Korean and US researchers. Defined as particles less than 100 nm in diameter, UFPs are about 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair. Inhaling UFPs is known to aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. An-Soo Jang at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Korea and co-workers have reviewed the evidence on how UFPs harm the airways. They report that UFPs are readily deposited in the lungs, where they trigger production of reactive oxygen species, highly reactive molecules that cause cellular and DNA damage. UFPs also provoke airway inflammation, and long-term exposure can scar the lungs. These results will aid in protecting at-risk individuals from the harmful effects of air pollution.