Pollution's Impact: Allergies And Their Aggravating Factors

Air pollution is a global problem that has a major impact on our health. The prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing, and air pollution is found to have a stronger link to an increased prevalence of allergies.

Air pollution can be caused by the increase in urbanization and industrialization, and is one of the major factors associated with the development of chronic allergic respiratory diseases in people. Air pollutants can irritate lung function and affect the quality of life.

Some common air pollutants include:

- Ozone: produced when sunlight reacts with the chemical fumes that cars and industrial plants emit.

- Nitrogen dioxide: emitted from car exhaust, power plants, and burning of fossil fuels.

- Carbon monoxide: produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal, or other carbon-based fuel.

- Sulfur dioxide: emitted by coal-fired power plants, refineries, smelters, paper and pulp mills, and food processing plants.

- Particulate matter: produced by diesel-powered motor vehicles, factories, power generation, wood burning, and mining areas.

These air pollutants can aggravate symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including headaches, blocked or runny noses, itchy or watery eyes, and sleep disturbances.

Air pollution and climate change

The complex relationship between climate change, air pollution, aeroallergens, and allergic respiratory diseases has been the subject of numerous studies. Warmer temperatures, heavy precipitation, and rising sea levels have all been linked to an increase in heatwaves, storms, floods, wildfires, and dust storms, which can directly or indirectly impact respiratory health. For example, thunderstorms can concentrate pollen grains and rupture them, releasing allergenic particles that can easily penetrate the lower respiratory tract. Wildfires and dust storms increase air pollution, while floods can lead to increased mould growth, all of which pose risks to those with allergies and respiratory conditions.

The effects of climate change and air pollution are particularly pronounced in urban areas, where residents are exposed to multiple factors such as high temperatures, air pollutants, and allergens. Urbanisation, with its high levels of vehicle emissions, and a westernised lifestyle have been linked to the rising frequency of respiratory allergic diseases and bronchial asthma. Children, with their immature immune systems, are especially vulnerable to these environmental exposures.

To reduce the risks and impacts of climate change and air pollution on respiratory health, individuals can take measures such as avoiding places or situations that can trigger asthma attacks or allergic reactions, checking air quality indexes before going outdoors, and advocating for policies to reduce climate change and air pollution.

Allergies and the immune system

Allergies are disruptions in the immune system. 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 pollutants 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 following are some of the ways in which air pollutants and climate parameters can influence allergic diseases:

• They can enhance the abundance and induce chemical modifications of allergens.
• They can increase oxidative stress in the human body.
• They can skew the immune system toward allergic reactions.
• They can act as adjuvants and alter the immunogenicity of allergenic proteins.
• They can affect the atmospheric abundance and human exposure to bioaerosols and aeroallergens.

Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), which are an agglomeration of particles and a wide array of chemical substances, aggravate asthma, primarily due to the principle organic chemical components of DEPs.

Asian sand dust particles can enhance allergic inflammation.

There is a strong increase of carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, and combustion- or traffic-related particulate matter in the atmosphere. These environmental factors can enhance the abundance and induce chemical modifications of allergens, increase oxidative stress in the human body, and skew the immune system toward allergic reactions.

Allergies and the environment

Allergies are an immune system response to substances such as pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. The prevalence of allergies has been increasing, and air pollution is a major factor. The incidence of allergic diseases has increased in most industrialised countries, and urban air pollution has been attracting attention as an important environmental and extrinsic etiologic agent.

Air pollution has been on the rise due to the increase in urbanisation and industrialisation. It is one of the major factors associated with the development of chronic allergic respiratory diseases in people. In fact, this alone causes allergic rhinitis in 40% of the world population.

Ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter are common pollutants that affect allergies and can irritate lung function and affect quality of life. These pollutants are produced by traffic-related and industrial activities.

Particulate matter, which is generated by automobile traffic and industry, is especially harmful to people with allergies. It can be inhaled into the lungs and get into the bloodstream, affecting breathing and, in some cases, heart function.

In addition to engine emissions, particle pollution can come from other sources. For example, if you live near a coal-fired power plant, the smog in your area may include sulfur particles generated by the plant.

Nitrogen dioxide is a component of photochemical pollution and is emitted from car exhaust, power plants, and the burning of fossil fuels. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide can affect health independently of any effects of other pollutants.

Ozone is produced when sunlight reacts with the chemical fumes that cars and industrial plants emit. While it helps protect from UV rays, ozone should not be present at high amounts at ground level. It irritates the lungs, aggravates asthma, and makes it difficult to breathe.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal, or other carbon-based fuel. It can replace the oxygen in your bloodstream, which can lead to serious tissue damage or even death. According to a study, higher exposure to carbon monoxide during infancy increased the risk of developing allergic rhinitis.

Sulfur dioxide is a water-soluble gas commonly emitted by coal-fired power plants, refineries, smelters, paper and pulp mills, and food processing plants. It is a great contributor to sulfurous air pollution and has been plaguing human populations for centuries.

Air pollution can also come from indoor sources, such as the indoor use of pesticides or toxic cleaners, increased dust mite exposure, and keeping many houseplants, which can contribute to dust and mould.

Allergies and the human body

Allergies are an immune system response to substances such as pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. The body's antibodies identify these allergens as harmful, even though they are not. The prevalence of allergies has been increasing, with nearly 18 million adults in the United States having hay fever, or allergic rhinitis. Allergic reactions happen when you come into contact with an allergen. Your immune system reacts by releasing histamines and other chemicals into your blood, causing symptoms that can irritate your skin, sinuses, or digestive system.

Allergies are all over, and they’re big business. They’re the sixth-leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S., and they cost Americans more than$18 billion a year.

Allergies are an overreaction by the body's immune system to substances called allergens that either enter or come into contact with the body. Allergies are common and not generally life-threatening, but they can be very uncomfortable.

The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. It keeps a record of every substance that enters the body, so it can recognise and remember harmful invaders.

When the body encounters a harmful substance, such as a bacteria or virus, the immune system creates antibodies. These are proteins that can recognise and neutralise specific invaders, known as antigens.

The next time the body encounters the same antigen, these antibodies swing into action, triggering an immune response.

Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to a false alarm, treating a harmless substance, or allergen, as dangerous.

The immune system releases chemicals such as histamine, which causes inflammation in the skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system. This inflammation can cause many of the symptoms of allergies, including a runny nose, skin rash, itching, or asthma.

Allergies can be seasonal, such as hay fever, or year-round, such as pet allergies.

Allergies can be treated with antihistamines, which block histamine from binding to immune system cells and causing inflammation.

Allergies can also be treated with immunotherapy, which uses small amounts of an allergen to desensitise the body and reduce the immune system's response.

Allergies and the future

Allergies are on the rise globally, and air pollution is a key contributing factor. As industrialization increases, so does the prevalence of allergic diseases. The future of allergies is therefore inextricably linked to the future of air pollution.

Air pollution is one of the world's biggest killers, with 1.2 million deaths in India alone attributed to poor air quality in 2017. The World Health Organization's limits for air quality are exceeded in most places, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures.

Outdoor air pollution is a major concern, but indoor air pollution is also a real issue for allergy sufferers. The air inside our homes can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Cooking, cleaning, and heating methods can all contribute to poor indoor air quality.

The future of air pollution and, in turn, allergies, is dependent on a number of factors. Firstly, the continued increase in industrialization and adoption of a "Western" lifestyle will likely lead to more allergies. This is due to higher levels of air pollutants and a reduction in childhood exposure to pathogens and parasites ("hygiene hypothesis").

Secondly, climate change will also play a role. As global temperatures rise, vegetation patterns and plant physiology will change. This will impact the spread of invasive plants, the pollination and sporulation periods, and the allergenicity of pollen grains, fungal spores, and other bioaerosol particles.

Finally, the continued increase in air pollutants will lead to more chemical modifications of allergens, increasing their potency. Air pollutants can also skew the immune system towards allergic reactions and induce oxidative stress in the human body.

To mitigate the future impact of air pollution on allergies, it is essential to take steps to reduce pollution levels. This includes controlling both indoor and outdoor pollution sources, such as using energy-efficient appliances, avoiding smoking indoors, and opting for public transportation.

The future of allergies is dependent on our ability to address the root causes of air pollution and implement effective strategies to reduce pollution levels.

Frequently asked questions