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News on Climate Change, Air Pollution, and Allergic Triggers of Asthma

D'Amato M1, Cecchi L2, Annesi-Maesano I3, D'Amato G4

1First Division of Pneumology, High Speciality Hospital “V. Monaldi” and University “Federico II” Medical School, Napoli, Italy
2Interdepartmental Center of Bioclimatology, University of Florence, Italy
3Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, IPLESP, INSERM & UPMC Paris6, Sorbonnes Universités, Medical School Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
4Division of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, Department of Respiratory Diseases, High Specialty Hospital A.Cardarelli and University of NapoliFederico II, School of Specialization in Respiratory Diseases, Naples, Italy

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2018; Vol 28(2) : 91-97
doi: 10.18176/jiaci.0228

The rising frequency of obstructive respiratory diseases during recent years, in particular allergic asthma, can be partially explained by changes in the environment, with the increasing presence in the atmosphere of chemical triggers (particulate matter and gaseous components such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone) and biologic triggers (aeroallergens). In allergic individuals, aeroallergens stimulate airway sensitization and thus induce symptoms of bronchial asthma.
Over the last 50 years, the earth’s temperature has risen markedly, likely because of growing concentrations of anthropogenic greenhouse gas. Major atmospheric and climatic changes, including global warming induced by human activity, have a considerable impact on the biosphere and on the human environment.
Urbanization and high levels of vehicle emissions induce symptoms of bronchial obstruction (in particular bronchial asthma), more so in people living in urban areas compared than in those who live in rural areas. Measures need to be taken to mitigate the future impact of climate change and global warming. However, while global emissions continue to rise, we must learn to adapt to climate variability.

Key words: Air pollution and obstructive respiratory diseases, Airway hyperreactivity in asthma, Air pollution and asthma, Climate changeand asthma, Climate change and respiratory allergy, Thunderstorm asthma