HEP measured differences in a form of air pollution, airborne particulate matter (PM*), in the three Detroit neighborhoods that are part of the study. Other studies have shown that exposure to PM* at levels currently reported in most urban areas can cause negative health effects, such as heart attacks, asthma, pneumonia, and other lung diseases. Monitors were located in each of the three Detroit neighborhoods for three years to record the level and types of PM*. This study will examine the relationship of levels and type of airborne particulate matter to the heart health of residents.

*Airborne Particulate Matter (PM) is a form of air pollution, specifically small particles in the air. PM is measured in two sizes: PM 2.5 and PM 10. In urban areas PM 2.5 generally comes from combustion sources such as smokestacks and emissions from cars and trucks. PM 10 is released by these same sources as well as from natural sources such as wind blown dust.