| Title: | Impact of air quality on lung health: myth or reality? |
| Author(s): | Marino E; Caruso M; Campagna D; Polosa R; |
| Address: | "Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, and UOC di Medicina Interna e Immunologia Clinica, Universita di Catania, Italy. UOC di Medicina Interna e Immunologia Clinica, Policlinico Universitario, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95100, Catania, Italy" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2040-6223 (Print) 2040-6231 (Electronic) 2040-6223 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The respiratory system is a primary target of the harmful effects of key air pollutants of health concern. Several air pollutants have been implicated including particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is well known that episodes of exposure to high concentrations of outdoor air pollutants can cause acute respiratory exacerbations. However, there is now increasing evidence suggesting that significant exposure to outdoor air pollutants may be also associated with development of lung cancer and with incident cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory allergies. Here we provide a critical appraisal of the impact of air pollution on respiratory diseases and discuss strategies for preventing excessive exposure to harmful air pollutants. However, the evidence that significant exposure to air pollutants is causing COPD, lung cancer or respiratory allergies is not conclusive and therefore regulators must be aware that execution of clean air policies may not be that cost-effective and may lead to unintended consequences. Addressing the lung health effects of air pollution must be considered work in progress" |
| Keywords: | Copd air pollution asthma lung cancer respiratory diseases; |
| Notes: | "PubMed-not-MEDLINEMarino, Elisa Caruso, Massimo Campagna, Davide Polosa, Riccardo eng Review 2015/09/04 Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015 Sep; 6(5):286-98. doi: 10.1177/2040622315587256" |
