Air pollution and allergic disease

Abstract

Over the past several decades, there has been increased awareness of the health effects of air pollution and much debate regarding the role of global warming. The prevalence of asthma and allergic disease has risen in industrialized countries, and most epidemiologic studies focus on possible causalities between air pollution and these conditions. This review examines salient articles and summarizes findings important to the interaction between allergies and air pollution, specifically volatile organic compounds, global warming, particulate pollutants, atopic risk, indoor air pollution, and prenatal exposure. Further work is necessary to determine whether patients predisposed to developing allergic disease may be more susceptible to the health effects of air pollutants due to the direct interaction between IgE-mediated disease and air pollutants. Until we have more definitive answers, patient education about the importance of good indoor air quality in the home and workplace is essential. Health care providers and the general community should also support public policy designed to improve outdoor air quality by developing programs that provide incentives for industry to comply with controlling pollution emissions.

Exposure to negatively charged-particle dominant air-conditions on human lymphocytes in vitro activates immunological responses

“…However, we need to establish an indoor environment that promotes health not only in order to avoid these impairments, but also to support the health of all people during their daily lives. For this purpose, many house builders are trying to utilize various devices to improve indoor-air and indoor-environments such as airtightness, the colors of walls and ceilings, air flows and provision for microorganisms (Wilkinson et al, 2007;Kim and Bernstein, 2009). We have been investigating the effectiveness of negatively charged-particle dominant air-conditions for human health and have reported experimental results of trials involving 2.5-h stays and two-week night stays under such conditions.…”

“…Typically, sick-building syndrome (SBS) is associated with various symptoms such as sensory irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, as well as neurotoxic or general health problems such as skin irritation and nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions (Hodgson, 1989; Crawford conducted to create greater airtightness and better moisture-proof properties for individual homes (Wilkinson et al, 2007;Kim and Bernstein, 2009).…”

Allergic Airway Inflammation is Differentially Exacerbated by Daytime and Nighttime Ultrafine and Submicron Fine Ambient Particles: Heme Oxygenase-1 as an Indicator of PM-Mediated Allergic Inflammation

“…Epidemiological studies demonstrate correlations between (a) episodes of high ambient particulate matter (PM) and increased asthma exacerbations and (b) proximity to major highways and air pollution levels with increased rates of allergy and asthma in addition to increased risk of cardiopulmonary mortality (Dockery et al, 1993;Kim and Bernstein, 2009;Peterson and Saxon, 1996;Samet et al, 2000;von Klot et al, 2002;Beckerman et al, 2012;Cheng et al, 2014;Tsai and Yang, 2014). Toxicological studies frequently focus on near-freeway conditions and the ultrafine (UF) fraction of PM in urban environments.…”

The Role of Costimulatory Molecules in Allergic Disease and Asthma

“…This trend may be due to increased hygiene which prevents early exposure to microorganisms in infancy and increases the risk of developing an allergic disease in the future [3]. Air pollution may also favor the development of allergies [4]. Among allergic diseases, asthma is of particular concern as it can evolve into a life-threatening chronic pulmonary disease.…”