Air pollution is one of the main environmental risks to health. The World Health Organisation has estimated that roughly seven million deaths per year are directly related to air pollution.
The skin, being one of the first organs in contact with the air, is exposed to numerous pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and ozone (O3). These contribute to damaging skin cells, and their action is intensified by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Diesel engines increase the density of aerial micro-particles (DPMs). These particles are heavily loaded with