Elsevier

Environment International

Volume 59, September 2013, Pages 41-52
Environment International

Review
A review on human health perspective of air pollution with respect to allergies and asthma

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2013.05.007Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • The increase of asthma and allergies has become an important health issue throughout the globe.

  • Their symptoms of asthma and allergies can worsen, if not managed against harmful pollutants.

  • In this study, we up-to-date information linking these affiliations with air pollution.

Abstract

The increase in cases of asthma and allergies has become an important health issue throughout the globe. Although these ailments were not common diseases a few short decades ago, they are now affecting a large part of the population in many regions. Exposure to environmental (both outdoor and indoor) pollutants may partially account for the prevalence of such diseases. In this review, we provide a multidisciplinary review based on the most up-to-date survey of literature regarding various types of airborne pollutants and their associations with asthma-allergies. The major pollutants in this respect include both chemical (nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds) and biophysical parameters (dust mites, pet allergens, and mold). The analysis was extended further to describe the development of these afflictions in the human body and the subsequent impact on health. This publication is organized to offer an overview on the current state of research regarding the significance of air pollution and its linkage with allergy and asthma.

Keywords

Air pollution
Allergy
Asthma
Particulate matter
Volatile organic compounds
Dust mite

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