Urban air pollution and climate change: “The Decalogue: Allergy Safe Tree” for allergic and respiratory diseases care

Abstract

BackgroundAccording to the World Health Organization, air pollution is closely associated with climate change and, in particular, with global warming. In addition to melting of ice and snow, rising sea level, and flooding of coastal areas, global warming is leading to a tropicalization of temperate marine ecosystems. Moreover, the effects of air pollution on airway and lung diseases are well documented as reported by the World Allergy Organization.MethodsScientific literature was searched for studies investigating the effect of the interaction between air pollution and climate change on allergic and respiratory diseases.ResultsSince 1990s, a multitude of articles and reviews have been published on this topic, with many studies confirming that the warming of our planet is caused by the “greenhouse effect” as a result of increased emission of “greenhouse” gases. Air pollution is also closely linked to global warming: the emission of hydrocarbon combustion products leads to increased concentrations of biological allergens such as pollens, generating a mixture of these particles called particulate matter (PM). The concept is that global warming is linked to the emission of hydrocarbon combustion products, since both carbon dioxide and heat increase pollen emission into the atmosphere, and all these particles make up PM10. However, the understanding of the mechanisms by which PM affects human health is still limited. Therefore, several studies are trying to determine the causes of global warming. There is also evidence that increased concentrations of air pollutants and pollens can activate inflammatory mediators in the airways. Our Task Force has prepared a Decalogue of rules addressing public administrators, which aims to limit the amount of allergenic pollen in the air without sacrificing public green areas.ConclusionsSeveral studies underscore the significant risks of global warming on human health due to increasing levels of air pollution. The impact of climate change on respiratory diseases appears well documented. The last decades have seen a rise in the concentrations of pollens and pollutants in the air. This rise parallels the increase in the number of people presenting with allergic symptoms (e.g., allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma), who often require emergency medical care. Our hope is that scientists from different disciplines will work together with institutions, pharmaceutical companies and lay organizations to limit the adverse health effects of air pollution and global warming.

Management of the patient with allergic and immunological disorders in the pandemic COVID-19 era

“…Allergic patients with manifestation of asthma, rhinitis and conjunctivitis had acute relapses during the COVID-19 emergency both due to the massive spring exposure to allergens and other triggering factors such as internal and external pollutants [10,13] and to the sudden interruption of current treatment, for fear that the same drugs could facilitate SARS infection. On the contrary, in the current state of knowledge, intranasal corticosteroid therapy for allergic rhinitis can be continued in patients with COVID-19 at the recommended posology [8,10].…”

Particulate matter exposure aggravates osteoarthritis severity

“…The epidemiological studies have demonstrated that exposure to air PM is associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases, including pulmonary dysfunction, cardiovascular disorder, skin diseases, allergy, and cancer [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Recently, a mouse study suggested that chronic PM2.5 exposure (1 h daily, 5 days/week, 3 months) caused the genotoxic and epigenotoxic effects on DNA of the liver, kidney, and lung [41].…”

“…Therefore, the impacts of PM on human health and the strategies for reducing PM production have become a main issue of concern to the public, government, and scientists [1]. PM exposure has been demonstrated as a major risk factor associated with pulmonary dysfunction, cardiovascular disorder, hepatic fibrogenesis, skin diseases, allergy, cancer, and even neurological disorders [2][3][4][5][6][7]. PM is a complex mixture, which includes polyaromatic hydrocarbons, organic toxins, metals, and biological materials [8][9][10].…”

Climate change, air pollution, and allergic respiratory diseases: a call to action for health professionals

“…[ 80 ] The urban population will likely be disproportionately affected because of the urban heat island effect since excess heat causes direct impairment on airway and increase the formation of O 3 . [ 81 ] A study from Southern Spain showed that the pollen season in urban areas was twice as long as that of rural environments. [ 82 ]…”