Impact of Air Pollution on Allergic Diseases
Summary
Air pollution constitutes a major environmental threat to respiratory health, contributing to the onset and exacerbation of allergic diseases such as rhinitis, asthma and atopic eczema. Both outdoor pollutants (for example particulate matter and ozone) and indoor pollutants (including tobacco smoke and volatile organic compounds) interact with genetic predisposition to amplify allergic sensitisation, disrupt epithelial barriers and provoke airway inflammation. Key mechanistic pathways involve oxidative stress, immune modulation and epigenetic alterations that skew T-cell responses towards an atopic phenotype. Epidemiological studies across diverse regions indicate that even moderate elevations in nitrogen dioxide and fine particulates correlate with increased prevalence and severity of allergic symptoms in children and adults alike. The global significance of this interplay is underscored by projections of rising pollutant levels in urbanising regions, amplifying healthcare burdens and impairing quality of life. Practical mitigation spans policy measures to reduce emissions, individual strategies to limit exposure and tailored clinical management to address pollutant-aggravated disease.
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Impact of Air Pollution on Allergic Diseases publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in impact of air pollution on allergic diseases across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10): Suspended particles in air, classified by aerodynamic diameter, that penetrate the respiratory tract and trigger inflammation.
Oxidative stress: Cellular injury caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences, leading to mucosal damage and immune activation.
Epithelial barrier: The protective layer of airway cells that prevents pathogen and allergen entry, whose integrity can be compromised by pollutants.
Atopic sensitisation: The process by which the immune system mounts an IgE-mediated response to normally harmless allergens.
Aeroallergen: Airborne substance (for example pollen, mould spores, animal dander) capable of inducing allergic reactions upon inhalation.
Epigenetic modification: Heritable changes in gene expression (such as DNA methylation) not involving alterations in DNA sequence, influenced by environmental exposures.
References
- International expert consensus on the management of allergic rhinitis (AR) aggravated by air pollutants Impact of air pollution on patients with AR: Current knowledge and future strategies. World Allergy Organization Journal (2020).
- Association between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and pediatric allergic diseases based on modeled air pollution concentrations and traffic measures in Seoul, Korea: a comparative analysis. Environmental Health (2020).
- Allergic rhinitis aggravated by air pollutants in Latin America: A systematic review. World Allergy Organization Journal (2021).
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