Pollution's Impact On Skin And Hair Health

The integumentary system is the body's first line of defence against external elements, including pollution and bacteria. It is made up of the skin, hair, nails, glands, and nerves. The skin, being the largest and heaviest organ of the body, is responsible for protecting the underlying muscles, bones, and internal organs.

Air pollution, which includes the emission of particulate matter, ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, can have detrimental effects on the integumentary system. Short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution can affect the skin, hair, and nails, leading to age spots, chronic skin inflammation, ageing, pimples, acne, and psoriasis.

Additionally, air pollution can cause hair fall and affect scalp health and hair follicles. It can also lead to skin cancer and other skin disorders. Overall, the impact of air pollution on the integumentary system underscores the importance of mitigating air pollution to protect human health.

Skin ageing

Air pollution is a harmful environmental risk to human skin and is known to promote ageing and inflammation of the tissue, leading to the onset of skin disorders and the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation issues.

• Oxidative stress and inflammation: Exposure to air pollution can induce oxidative stress in the skin, leading to inflammation and activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. This, in turn, can result in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which accelerate the skin ageing process.
• Impaired skin barrier: Air pollution can disrupt the skin's barrier function by decreasing the expression of epidermal structural proteins such as filaggrin, E-cadherin, and cytokeratins. This disruption can increase the skin's susceptibility to pathogen invasion and lead to conditions like atopic dermatitis.
• DNA damage: Air pollution can cause DNA damage in skin cells, leading to cellular dysfunction and cancer.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction: Air pollution can induce mitochondrial damage in skin cells, resulting in increased ROS production and decreased energy generation.
• Activation of inflammatory pathways: Air pollution can activate inflammatory signalling pathways such as NF-κB, which regulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and MMPs, further contributing to skin ageing.
• Depletion of antioxidants: Air pollution can deplete the skin's reserves of antioxidants like vitamins C and E, making it more vulnerable to damage.
• Synergistic effects with UV radiation: Exposure to air pollution and UV radiation simultaneously can have synergistic effects, increasing the risk of skin ageing and carcinogenesis.

Skin cancer

Air pollution has been associated with skin cancer, with hundreds of thousands of lung cancer deaths worldwide attributed to it. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

The exact pathway through which air pollution leads to cancer is not yet known. However, researchers have focused on a few possibilities:

• Physical damage to cells caused by particulate matter when it enters the lungs, producing inflammation and oxidative stress and leading to cell mutations.
• Specific carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) found in air pollution, such as benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins, which may be absorbed into the body when inhaled.
• Water contaminated with high levels of arsenic, which is a cause of bladder cancer and has also been associated with skin and lung cancers.

The skin is a target organ for pollution and also allows the penetration of exogenous agents into the body. In 1993, about 700,000 new cases of skin cancer were diagnosed, and 9100 people died of skin cancer; 76% of the deaths were due to melanoma. Skin cancers are most closely associated with exposure to UVB (290 to 320 nm) irradiation.

Respiratory issues

The integumentary system is the body's first line of defence against external elements, including pollution. It is composed of the skin, hair, nails, glands, and nerves, and its main function is to protect the body from environmental factors, such as pollution, and regulate bodily functions, such as temperature and fluid balance.

The respiratory system is one of the systems most affected by air pollution. When we breathe, we inhale not only oxygen but also dangerous pollutants. The respiratory system is particularly vulnerable to air pollution due to its mucous membrane lining.

Damage to Lung Tissue

Contaminants such as ground-level ozone, metals, and free radicals can damage the cells of the lung tissue. For example, ozone can affect the air sacs in the lungs, which are responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide. This interference with the respiratory process can have detrimental consequences for overall health.

Bio-activation of Pollutants

The bio-activation enzymes present in the airway tissues can transform organic pollutants into reactive metabolites. This process has been linked to lung injuries, neuro-behavioural disorders, and even breast cancer. The complex interaction between pollutants and the body's natural defence mechanisms can have far-reaching health implications.

Inflammatory Response

Particle pollution can trigger inflammatory responses in the respiratory system, leading to pulmonary inflammation. This inflammation also affects the body's response to irritants such as cold air, dust, and allergens. As a result, there is an increased risk of lung function impairment, which is reflected in the rising cases of asthma worldwide.

Impairment of Lung Function

Air pollution can cause a range of respiratory issues, including coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and a sore throat. These symptoms are indicative of the body's response to the irritants and its attempt to clear the respiratory tract of pollutants. Prolonged exposure to air pollution can lead to more severe respiratory conditions and increase the risk of respiratory diseases.

Cardiovascular Effects

In addition to the direct impact on the respiratory system, air pollution can also affect the cardiovascular system. The pollutants inhaled are easily absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to circulation throughout the body. Fine particulate pollution has been associated with an increased risk of heart conditions and mortality. Vehicular pollution, in particular, contains various contaminants that negatively impact heart health. Studies have found a positive correlation between traffic pollution and issues such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and autonomic nervous system imbalances.

Indoor Air Pollution

It is important to consider not only outdoor air pollution but also indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution can be caused by various factors, including inefficient heating systems, cooking activities, and the use of certain household products. Inhaling polluted air indoors can have similar respiratory effects as outdoor air pollution, including coughing, sneezing, and throat irritation.

In summary, air pollution has far-reaching consequences for the respiratory system, impacting both the lungs and other connected bodily systems. The complex interaction between pollutants and the body's defence mechanisms underlines the importance of mitigating air pollution and protecting our respiratory health.

Allergies

Environmental changes are thought to be the main factor in the rapid increase and worsening of allergic diseases. While there have been significant changes in many environmental factors, the root of each of these changes is likely an increase in chemical substances.

Air pollution and climate change are potential drivers for the increasing burden of allergic diseases. The molecular mechanisms by which air pollutants and climate parameters may influence allergic diseases, however, are complex and elusive.

The global increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases is of great concern. Among the numerous known causes of allergic diseases, urban air pollution has been attracting attention as an important environmental and extrinsic etiologic agent. This includes gaseous materials such as ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as well as particulate matter (PM), which is generated by automobile traffic and industry.

Strong epidemiological evidence supports a relationship between air pollution and the exacerbation of asthma and other allergic diseases; indeed, recent studies have suggested that pollutants play a crucial role in the development of asthma and other allergic disorders.

Experimental studies have elucidated the cellular and molecular events that explain how these pollutants induce adverse effects in the respiratory system. Additionally, recent gene-environmental approaches have been clarifying the mechanisms by which a host has increased susceptibility to air pollutants.

There is sufficient probability that environmental pollutants (air pollutants, chemical substances, nanoparticles, Asian sand dust particles, etc.) that are ubiquitous are able to cause a rise in and exacerbate the common living environment-based diseases such as allergies and other lifestyle-based diseases.

In particular, we should pay attention to the environmental pollutants that are considered to have low toxicity on their own and see how small but combined exposure can impact those that are highly sensitive to such diseases (that is to say, we should study how highly sensitive groups are impacted by exposure to a combination of low-toxicity substances at low levels). Such a risk is ever present.

Cardiovascular issues

Air pollution has been linked to a range of cardiovascular issues, including increased morbidity and mortality. The specific cardiovascular effects of air pollution include:

• Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress: Exposure to air pollution can induce an inflammatory response in the lungs, leading to the release of inflammatory cytokines that can affect the cardiovascular system. This can result in increased oxidative stress, which has been linked to endothelial dysfunction, pro-thrombotic processes, cardiac electrophysiology, and lipid metabolism.
• Translocation into the blood: Small amounts of ultrafine insoluble particles or soluble components of any size particles may translocate from the lungs directly into the bloodstream, potentially having direct impacts on cardiovascular function or secondary effects via the central nervous system.
• Direct and indirect effects on the autonomic nervous system: Exposure to air pollution can affect the autonomic nervous system, leading to alterations in heart rate, vasoconstriction, endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension.

The specific cardiovascular diseases and conditions associated with air pollution exposure include:

• Acute coronary syndrome: Exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of acute coronary syndrome, including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and sudden cardiac death.
• Chronic heart failure: Air pollution exposure can exacerbate existing heart failure and increase the risk of hospitalizations and mortality due to heart failure.
• Arrhythmias: Air pollution exposure has been associated with an increased risk of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, particularly in individuals with implantable cardiac defibrillators or risk factors for heart disease.
• Atherosclerosis: Chronic exposure to air pollution has been linked to the development of atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries, which can lead to blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
• Hypertension: Both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution have been associated with an increased risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure.
• Stroke: Exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke, particularly in individuals with existing heart conditions.

Overall, air pollution exposure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can lead to increased hospitalizations and mortality. It is important to note that the effects of air pollution on cardiovascular health may be more pronounced in individuals with existing heart conditions or other risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, or smoking.

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