How Air Quality Can Lead Asthma and Allergy

For individuals with allergies and asthma, the very air they breathe may also be bad for their health. That's because a number of contaminants in our environment, collectively referred to as smog, can aggravate symptoms of asthma and allergy, leaving people with these conditions unable to breathe. See a doctor for allergy testing if you suspect pollen induced allergy is bothering you.

And what's the smog?

Smog is a type of air pollution that results from the sunlight reaction of a mixture of gases and particulates. Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are among the gases in smog. Smoke, dust, sand, and pollen can contain the particulates contained in smog.

Air pollution has reduced considerably in recent years, but a 2010 study by the American Lung Association reports that more than 175 million people — about 58% of the population — still live where levels of pollution also make it difficult for some people to breathe.

The Problem of Particles

Mechanical processes, such as construction and mining, and chemical processes, such as burning fossil fuels, produce particulate emissions. The popular forms of fossil fuels used in the United States include coal, natural gas, and petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Fumes from gas-powered vehicles are often believed to be the only major cause of smog, but diesel-powered particles that power trains, large trucks, and some buses often lead to problems with air quality.

Particle pollution can come from other sources, in addition to engine emissions, depending on where you live. For instance, if you live near a coal-fired power plant, sulphur particles produced by the plant can be part of the smog in your area.

The smaller the particle, the larger the risk, no matter what the source is. That's because particles smaller than 10 micrometres in diameter can be inhaled into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, influencing your breathing and, in certain cases, your heart function, around one-quarter the diameter of a human hair.

What is the relation between the quality of the air, allergies and asthma?

Interestingly, several studies have been carried out to determine whether air quality can improve the effects of allergies and asthma. Comparisons between urban and rural areas were shown by population studies. The greater amount of toxins in the air and allergy and asthma signs found in the population with equal pollen exposure in all the groups appear to have a strong association. Oh, why is that? This is a confusing topic that allergists and scientists in science are attempting to grasp.

Stuff we're familiar with about this are:

The higher the concentration of air pollutants and pollen, the more the immune system is activated.

In inner-city/urban areas, we see lower asthma and allergy control than in rural areas where you might think this would be contrary because pollens and animal dander are usually surrounded by rural communities.

Non-allergic causes can also lead to persistent sinus congestion and exacerbations of asthma, including smoke, dust, fragrances, exhaust, etc.

Climate Change, Asthma, and Allergies

Scientists are looking at the impact of climate change on our health, especially regarding allergies and asthma, to push this further. The pollen abundance grows higher as the globe gets warmer and the pollen seasons get longer. We will see more air quality problems with the growing human population, and forest fires in the west. This combination leads to a rise in future generations of allergies and asthma symptoms.

See here at OKOA for allergy testing. We would check the symptoms and do diagnosis and treatment as required. Follow us for ENT problems as well including pediatric ENT.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.