Deleterious Effect of Air Pollution on Human Microbial Community and Bacterial Flora: A Short Review

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 22;19(23):15494. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192315494.

Abstract

A balanced microbiota composition is requisite for normal physiological functions of the human body. However, several environmental factors such as air pollutants may perturb the human microbiota composition. It is noticeable that currently around 99% of the world's population is breathing polluted air. Air pollution's debilitating health impacts have been studied scrupulously, including in the human gut microbiota. Nevertheless, air pollution's impact on other microbiotas of the human body is less understood so far. In the present review, the authors have summarized and discussed recent studies' outcomes related to air pollution-driven microbiotas' dysbiosis (including oral, nasal, respiratory, gut, skin, and thyroid microbiotas) and its potential multi-organ health risks.

Keywords: air pollution; autoimmune diseases; human microbiota; particulate matter; reactive oxygen species.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • Air Pollutants* / toxicity
  • Air Pollution* / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution* / analysis
  • Bacteria
  • Humans
  • Microbiota*
  • Particulate Matter / analysis

Substances

  • Particulate Matter
  • Air Pollutants

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.