Bronte Wells
Air pollution is a major cause of asthma flare-ups, and can even be the cause of the disease. Sources of air pollution include traffic and power generation. Pollutants such as diesel particles, ozone, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide can cause oxidative injury to the airways, leading to inflammation, remodelling, and increased risk of sensitisation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollutants | Diesel particles, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, particulate matter |
| Sources | Traffic, power generation |
| Mechanisms | Oxidative injury to airways, inflammation, remodelling, increased risk of sensitisation, oxidative stress and damage, airway remodelling, inflammatory pathways, immunological responses, enhancement of respiratory sensitisation to aeroallergens |
What You'll Learn
Diesel particles
Oxidative injury occurs when pollutants cause oxidative stress and damage in the body. This can lead to inflammation, which is the body's natural response to injury or infection. In the case of asthma, inflammation causes the airways to become swollen and narrowed, making it difficult to breathe.
Remodelling is another potential consequence of exposure to diesel particles. This refers to changes in the structure and function of the airways. Remodelling can make the airways more sensitive and reactive, increasing the likelihood of asthma symptoms being triggered.
Finally, exposure to diesel particles can enhance respiratory sensitisation to aeroallergens. This means that the body's immune system becomes more sensitive to certain triggers, leading to an increased risk of allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
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Ozone
People with asthma are particularly susceptible to the effects of ozone. Ozone can irritate the airways, causing inflammation and making it more difficult for people with asthma to breathe. Ozone can also trigger asthma attacks, leading to emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
There are several ways to reduce exposure to ozone. For example, people can limit their time outdoors when ozone levels are high, avoid exercising outdoors during peak ozone hours, and use air conditioners to filter out ozone from the indoor air. Communities can also work to reduce emissions of VOCs and nitrogen oxides, which will help to lower ozone levels in the atmosphere.
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Sulphur dioxide
The link between air pollution and asthma has been supported by an evidence base that has been accumulating for several decades. Animal and in vitro models suggest that exposure to pollutants can cause the immune system to differentiate towards a TH2 and TH17 type mechanism. This can lead to oxidative stress and damage, airway remodelling, inflammatory pathways, and immunological responses.
While the increase in asthma figures may be due to improvements in diagnosis criteria and techniques, the role of environmental pollution in industrialized countries cannot be ignored. Environmental pollutants can aggravate existing asthma and may even be the cause of the disease in some cases.
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Nitrous oxide
It is important to note that the link between environmental pollution and asthma is a complex issue. While there is strong evidence to suggest that pollution can trigger asthma attacks and exacerbate existing asthma, the claim that pollution may be the cause of asthma is more controversial. However, with the increasing levels of air pollution worldwide, it is crucial to take steps to minimise exposure to pollutants and to protect the health of vulnerable individuals.
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Gaseous pollutants
The UK's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants has proposed a framework for how air pollution might contribute to the development and exacerbation of asthma. The framework identifies four main mechanisms: oxidative stress and damage, airway remodelling, inflammatory pathways and immunological responses, and enhancement of respiratory sensitisation to aeroallergens.
Oxidative stress and damage refer to the ability of pollutants to cause oxidative injury to the airways, leading to inflammation and remodelling. This can increase the risk of sensitisation and the development of new-onset asthma. Animal and in vitro models also suggest that exposure to pollutants such as diesel particles can cause the immune system to differentiate towards a TH2 and TH17 type mechanism, which may be a factor in the development of asthma.
Ground-level ozone is a particularly harmful gaseous pollutant that can trigger asthma flare-ups. It is important to take steps to minimize exposure to this and other air pollutants, especially for children who are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide (O3, SO2 and NO2) can all cause asthma.
Traffic and power generation are the main sources of urban air pollution.
Air pollutants cause oxidative injury to the airways, leading to inflammation, remodelling, and increased risk of sensitisation.
There are steps you can take to minimise your child's exposure to air pollution, such as using air purifiers and avoiding areas with high levels of pollution.
