Environmental Toxicants and Allergic Disorder

Abstract

Air pollution affecting the quality of life worldwide has been accelerating in recent decades and is widely regarded as a threat to both public health and economic progress. The relationship between air pollution and the development and severity of asthma and other allergic diseases has been proved by epidemiological studies. Allergic disease in India is on an uprising trend, both in outbreak and severity. Approximate 20-30% population suffers from allergic diseases. There are 37.5 million cases of Asthma in India, with 40-50% being pediatric allergic disease cases. The main objective of this work is to study the various environmental factors that impact the manifestation and course of allergic diseases, i.e., asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis. The main emphasis has been paid to particulate matter (PM), gaseous materials such as ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) as well as Heavy Metals and pollutants generated by vehicular traffic and industry. Controlled urbanization, and scientific industrialization is urgent call to reduce this burden. The creation of awareness with reduced exposure to biomass and fossil fuels may pave the way to eradicate this burning problem.