Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma Outcomes

Angelica I. Tiotiu, Plamena Novakova, Denislava Nedeva, Herberto Jose Chong-Neto, Silviya Novakova, Paschalis Steiropoulos and Krzysztof Kowal
Additional contact information
Angelica I. Tiotiu: Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Nancy, 54395 Nancy, France
Plamena Novakova: Clinic of Clinical Allergy, Medical University, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Denislava Nedeva: Medical University Sofia, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Herberto Jose Chong-Neto: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80000-000, Brazil
Silviya Novakova: Allergy Unit, Internal Consulting Department, University Hospital “St. George”, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Paschalis Steiropoulos: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Krzysztof Kowal: Department of Allergology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-037 Bialystok, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-29

Abstract: Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by variable airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation. Evidence suggests that air pollution has a negative impact on asthma outcomes in both adult and pediatric populations. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the effect of various outdoor and indoor pollutants on asthma outcomes, their burden on its management, as well as to highlight the measures that could result in improved asthma outcomes. Traffic-related air pollution, nitrogen dioxide and second-hand smoking (SHS) exposures represent significant risk factors for asthma development in children. Nevertheless, a causal relation between air pollution and development of adult asthma is not clearly established. Exposure to outdoor pollutants can induce asthma symptoms, exacerbations and decreases in lung function. Active tobacco smoking is associated with poorer asthma control, while exposure to SHS increases the risk of asthma exacerbations, respiratory symptoms and healthcare utilization. Other indoor pollutants such as heating sources and molds can also negatively impact the course of asthma. Global measures, that aim to reduce exposure to air pollutants, are highly needed in order to improve the outcomes and management of adult and pediatric asthma in addition to the existing guidelines.

Keywords: outdoor air pollutants; indoor air pollutants; asthma symptoms; exacerbations; management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

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