Consequences of air quality degradation on the emergence and worsening of respiratory diseases
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i1.48587Keywords:
Climate change, Public Health, Respiratory diseases, Air pollution.Abstract
Air pollution, aggravated by the use of fossil fuels, has intensified respiratory diseases and generated new health risks, especially in vulnerable populations. Climatic phenomena, such as heat waves and forest fires, amplify these impacts, while gases such as PM2.5 and CO₂ are associated with millions of deaths. This study, conducted using the PICo (Population, Phenomenon, and Context) strategy and articles from 2020 to 2024 obtained from PubMed and Google Scholar databases, aims to conduct a narrative review on the consequences of air quality degradation on respiratory diseases. Air pollution is related to increased hospitalizations, with negative effects especially on children and the elderly. Exposure to pollutants aggravates chronic respiratory conditions and affects the lung microbiome, intensifying diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. In addition, local pollution, including burning, has significant impacts on public health. To mitigate these effects, it is crucial to adopt public policies that improve air quality, such as promoting efficient public transportation and the use of cleaner fuels. This study proposes further research on the interaction between pollution, microbiome, and health, with a view to supporting effective public health promotion actions.
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