title: Outdoor air pollution and asthma.
abstract: Traffic and power generation are the main sources of urban air pollution. The idea that outdoor air pollution can cause exacerbations of pre-existing asthma is supported by an evidence base that has been accumulating for several decades, with several studies suggesting a contribution to new-onset asthma as well. In this Series paper, we discuss the effects of particulate matter (PM), gaseous pollutants (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide), and mixed traffic-related air pollution. We focus on clinical studies, both epidemiological and experimental, published in the previous 5 years. From a mechanistic perspective, air pollutants probably cause oxidative injury to the airways, leading to inflammation, remodelling, and increased risk of sensitisation. Although several pollutants have been linked to new-onset asthma, the strength of the evidence is variable. We also discuss clinical implications, policy issues, and research gaps relevant to air pollution and asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guarnieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Electronic address: jbalmes@medsfgh.ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Balmes
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005740:Gases / Q000633:toxicity; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D012307:Risk Factors; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions