Traffic-related air pollution is also strongly linked to the progression of asthma to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), according to a second study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria.
The first study was presented by Shanshan Xu from the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Bergen, Norway.
The study evaluated the association between respiratory health and long-term exposure (between 1990 and 2000) to particulate matter, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and greenness (the amount and health of vegetation surrounding a person's home). ).
“Specifically, we observed that for every increase in the interquartile range of these contaminants, the risk of hospitalization increases by approximately 30 to 45 percent, depending on the contaminant. Greenness, on the other hand, contributed to reducing the risk of hospitalization for respiratory diseases,” Xu said.
But while the color green was associated with a lower risk of respiratory hospitalizations, it was also associated with a higher number of respiratory emergency room visits, particularly when the co-presence of hay fever was observed.
The second study was presented by Dr. Samuel Cai from the Center for Environmental Health and Sustainability at the University of Leicester, UK.
Levels of two major air pollutants (particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide) at each participant's home and a genetic risk score were estimated.
The team found that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter of increased exposure to particles, the risk of developing COPD was 56 percent higher among asthmatic patients.
“We also found that increased exposure to nitrogen dioxide increases the risk. Additionally, if people have a medium to high genetic risk score, the risk that increased exposure to nitrogen dioxide will cause asthma to progress to COPD is even higher,” Dr. Cai explained.
The first study was presented by Shanshan Xu from the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Bergen, Norway.
The study evaluated the association between respiratory health and long-term exposure (between 1990 and 2000) to particulate matter, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and greenness (the amount and health of vegetation surrounding a person's home). ).
“Specifically, we observed that for every increase in the interquartile range of these contaminants, the risk of hospitalization increases by approximately 30 to 45 percent, depending on the contaminant. Greenness, on the other hand, contributed to reducing the risk of hospitalization for respiratory diseases,” Xu said.
But while the color green was associated with a lower risk of respiratory hospitalizations, it was also associated with a higher number of respiratory emergency room visits, particularly when the co-presence of hay fever was observed.
The second study was presented by Dr. Samuel Cai from the Center for Environmental Health and Sustainability at the University of Leicester, UK.
Levels of two major air pollutants (particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide) at each participant's home and a genetic risk score were estimated.
The team found that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter of increased exposure to particles, the risk of developing COPD was 56 percent higher among asthmatic patients.
“We also found that increased exposure to nitrogen dioxide increases the risk. Additionally, if people have a medium to high genetic risk score, the risk that increased exposure to nitrogen dioxide will cause asthma to progress to COPD is even higher,” Dr. Cai explained.
