Review article

AIR POLLUTION AND ASTHMA

ENA TOLIĆ ; Klinika za plućne bolesti Jordanovac, Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska
MARINA LAMPALO ; Klinika za plućne bolesti Jordanovac, Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska; Fakultet zdravstvenih studija, Sveučilište u Rijeci, Rijeka, Hrvatska
ANAMARIJA ŠTAJDUHAR ; Klinika za plućne bolesti Jordanovac, Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska
SANJA POPOVIĆ-GRLE ; Klinika za plućne bolesti Jordanovac, Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska; Medicinski fakultet, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
DORA DARAPI ; Klinika za plućne bolesti Jordanovac, Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska
NATAŠA KARAMARKOVIĆ-LAZARUŠIĆ ; Poliklinika za bolesti dišnog sustava, Zagreb, Hrvatska
GORDANA PAVLIŠA ; Klinika za plućne bolesti Jordanovac, Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Zagreb, Hrvatska; Medicinski fakultet, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization data, the majority of the population live in areas with poor air quality, which has an
impact on human health, particularly respiratory system. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease induced by inflammation due to
an imbalance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors. Short-term exposure to air pollution causes an increase in asthmatic symptoms, number of exacerbations, visits to emergency services, hospitalizations, an increase in mortality, and some air
pollutants may also decrease lung function. Furthermore, according to the latest research, air pollution can also increase the occurrence of asthma in children. It is considered that the main mechanisms by which air pollution mediates the development and exacerbation of asthma are an increase in oxidative stress in the individual’s respiratory system, a change in the immune system response that promotes inflammation, an increase in the body’s susceptibility to the influence of allergens, and airway remodeling. The effect of air pollution will be more pronounced among genetically predisposed individuals. In addition to genetic pathways, epigenetic mechanisms appear to have a significant part in mediating these effects. Interventions at the global and local scale might contribute to the improvement of the quality of life and outcomes in millions of asthmatic patients, but also in healthy individuals. Global interventions include reduction of harmful gas and particle emissions from transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture, and transition to renewable and cleaner energy sources is indispensable. Some interventions at the local scale may be public air pollution warnings, patient education, development of better infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, etc.

Keywords

asthma; air pollution; asthma exacerbations; inflammation pathways; genetic and epigenetic factors

Hrčak ID:

310550

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/310550

Publication date:

22.11.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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