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Toxics
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Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants
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Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Toxicology and Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 10089

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Guang Jia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Interests: mechanism and prevention of occupational and environmental pollutants (including nano-toxicology research, health risk assessment of heavy metals, biological monitoring and biomarker research, as well as multi-omics technology combined application)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhangjian Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
Interests: nanotoxicology; toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles; occupational health; environmental health; genotoxicity of nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The study of the effects of environmental pollutants on human health has received widespread attention, including whether traditional pollutants such as particulate matters and heavy metals, or new pollutants such as nanoparticles and microplastics can cause serious impact to the environment and human health. Research on the potential toxic effects and mechanisms of environmental pollutants can provide a scientific basis for related prevention work.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish research on the potential toxicity and mechanisms of environmental pollutants affecting humans or the environment. We encourage the use of novel methods such as multi-omics techniques, or research on new pollutants such as nanomaterials. Research using biomarkers to conduct biological monitoring to assess the impact of environmental or occupational pollutants on human exposure or health is also included, as well as reviews summarizing relevant recent advances.

Prof. Dr. Guang Jia
Dr. Zhangjian Chen
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • toxic effects
  • toxic mechanism
  • biomarkers
  • multi-omics techniques
  • nanotoxicity
  • heavy metals

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 12534 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Omics Study of Neurodamage Induced by Growth-Stage Real-Time Air Pollution Exposure in Mice via the Microbiome–Gut–Brain Axis
by Zijun Yang, Yi Zhang, Shanshan Ran, Jingyi Zhang, Fei Tian, Hui Shi, Shengtao Wei, Xiuxiu Li, Xinyue Li, Yonggui Gao, Guang Jia, Hualiang Lin, Zhangjian Chen and Zilong Zhang
Toxics 2025, 13(4), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040260 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 210
Abstract
Air pollution has been widely recognized as a risk factor for neurological disorders, and the gut microbiome may play a mediating role. However, current evidence remains limited. In this study, a mouse model was employed with continuous exposure to real-time air pollution from [...] Read more.
Air pollution has been widely recognized as a risk factor for neurological disorders, and the gut microbiome may play a mediating role. However, current evidence remains limited. In this study, a mouse model was employed with continuous exposure to real-time air pollution from conception to late adolescence. Effects of growth-stage air pollution exposure on the gut microbiome, host metabolites, and brain tissue were assessed. Pathological damage in the hippocampus and cortex was observed. Fecal metagenomic sequencing revealed alterations in both compositions and functions of the gut microbiome. Metabolic disturbances in unsaturated fatty acids and glycerophospholipids were identified in the intestine, serum, and brain tissues, with significant changes in metabolites (e.g., gamma-linolenic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS). Serum levels of the pro-inflammatory mediator leukotriene C4 were also elevated. Correlation analysis identified a group of different gut microbiome species that were associated with host metabolites. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that intestinal and serum metabolites mediated the associations between the key gut microbiome and brain microbiome. These findings indicate that the metabolic crosstalk in the gut–brain axis mediates the neuronal damage in mice induced by growth-stage air pollution exposure, potentially through pathways involving lipid metabolism and inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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13 pages, 698 KiB  
Article
Independent and Combined Associations of Urinary Heavy Metal Exposures with Serum α-Klotho in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
by Xinliang Zheng, Wenxin Zhou, Zhuoying Jiang, Chan Ding, Minqian Feng, Yongxin Li, Fitri Kurniasari, Shuanghua Xie and Huadong Xu
Toxics 2025, 13(4), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040237 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 261
Abstract
α-Klotho is an anti-aging protein linked to various age-related diseases. Environmental metal exposure has been associated with oxidative stress and aging, but its effect on α-Klotho levels remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between urinary metal concentrations and serum α-Klotho levels using [...] Read more.
α-Klotho is an anti-aging protein linked to various age-related diseases. Environmental metal exposure has been associated with oxidative stress and aging, but its effect on α-Klotho levels remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between urinary metal concentrations and serum α-Klotho levels using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2016 cycles. A total of 4071 adults aged 40 to 79 years were included in the analysis. After adjusting for potential confounders, positive associations were found between serum α-Klotho levels and barium (Ba), cesium (Cs), and molybdenum (Mo), while tungsten (W) and uranium (U) were negatively correlated with α-Klotho levels. The combined effects of multiple metals were further analyzed using the qgcomp model, which demonstrated a negative correlation between increased metal mixtures and serum α-Klotho levels. Specifically, U, total arsenic (t-As), W, cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), and lead (Pb) contributed to the reduction of α-Klotho levels, while Ba, Cs, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), Mo, thallium (Tl), and cobalt (Co) were positively associated with α-Klotho levels. These findings suggest that exposure to certain metals, particularly in combination, may reduce serum α-Klotho levels, potentially accelerating aging processes. Further studies should investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for these associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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20 pages, 46005 KiB  
Article
Size-Dependent Cytotoxicity and Multi-Omic Changes Induced by Amorphous Silicon Nanoparticles in HepG2 Cells
by Jiaqi Shi, Huifang Zhang, Yi Zhang, Ying Ma, Nairui Yu, Wenhao Liu, Ying Liu, Jisheng Nie, Zhangjian Chen and Guang Jia
Toxics 2025, 13(4), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040232 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 303
Abstract
(1) Background: Silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) have a high potential for human exposure and tend to accumulate in the liver. This study aimed to explore the size-dependent cytotoxicity induced by SiO2 NPs and identify key molecular pathways at the in vitro [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) have a high potential for human exposure and tend to accumulate in the liver. This study aimed to explore the size-dependent cytotoxicity induced by SiO2 NPs and identify key molecular pathways at the in vitro level through proteomics, metabolomics, and a combination of multiple omics methods. (2) Methods: The human hepatoma cells (HepG2) cells were exposed to SiO2 NPs of three different sizes (60, 250, and 400 nm) at doses of 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL for 24 h. (3) Results: Exposure to 60 nm SiO2 NPs induced more reduction in cell viability than the other two larger-scale particles. Changes in the metabolomic and proteomic profiles of HepG2 cells induced by SiO2 NPs were also size-dependent. The main pathways that were significantly affected in the 60 nm SiO2 NPs treatment group represented cholesterol metabolism in proteomics and central carbon metabolism in metabolomics. Moreover, common enrichment pathways between differential proteins and metabolites included protein digestion and absorption and vitamin digestion and absorption. (4) Conclusions: Exposure to SiO2 NPs could induce size-dependent cytotoxicity and changes in proteomics and metabolomics, probably mainly by interfering with energy metabolism pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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14 pages, 2103 KiB  
Article
Associations of Environmental Pollutant Mixtures and Red Blood Cell Folate Concentrations: A Mixture Analysis of the U.S. Adult Population Based on NHANES Data, 2007–2016
by Michael Mascari, Katherine Reeves, Raji Balasubramanian, Zhenhua Liu, Nasser Laouali and Youssef Oulhote
Toxics 2025, 13(3), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13030200 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 557
Abstract
Background: Folate is critical for many physiological processes, and low folate levels have been associated with a wide range of health outcomes, including chronic diseases and developmental outcomes. Many environmental chemicals are suspected to contribute to the etiology of health outcomes related to [...] Read more.
Background: Folate is critical for many physiological processes, and low folate levels have been associated with a wide range of health outcomes, including chronic diseases and developmental outcomes. Many environmental chemicals are suspected to contribute to the etiology of health outcomes related to folate deficiency. However, little is known about how these pollutants influence folate levels as potential mechanistic pathways. Objective: To investigate the individual and joint associations between a mixture of 39 pollutants and red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations in the U.S. population. Methods: We used available data on 27,938 participants, aged 18–80 from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (2007–2016), with available RBC folate concentrations and 39 environmental pollutants’ concentrations. We estimated covariate-adjusted independent and joint associations between environmental pollutants and RBC folate, and compared evidence from two complimentary mixture approaches: exposome-wide association study (ExWAS) and quantile-based g computation (Q-gcomp). Results: In the ExWAS analysis, 12 environmental chemicals, including metals (cadmium, arsenic, lead, and mercury), perfluoroalkyl substances, phthalates, phenols and parabens, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were inversely associated with RBC folate, whereas four environmental pollutants, including metals (manganese and selenium) and two phthalate metabolites, were positively associated with RBC folate. Q-gcomp showed convergent results with the ExWAS analysis; a quartile increase in the metal and PFAS mixtures was significantly associated with a decrease of −38.4 ng/mL (95%CI: −52.3, −24.4) and −48.9 ng/mL (95%CI: −57.6, −39.6) in RBC folate concentrations, respectively. Conclusion: The present study shows that higher exposure to PFASs, metals, and PAHs are associated with lower RBC folate concentrations. However, given the cross-sectional design, we cannot make inferences about the directionality of the observed associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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16 pages, 18998 KiB  
Article
Lentinan Alleviated PM2.5 Exposure-Induced Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Pulmonary Epithelial Cells by Inhibiting the GARP/TGF-β/Smad Pathway
by Zhi Wang, Shiqing Xu, Bohao Bian, Zhida Hu, Feiyang Wu, Siqi Zhao, Xiaohui Wang, Li Wang and Teng Ma
Toxics 2025, 13(3), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13030166 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 373
Abstract
PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) is an air pollutant widely present in urban and industrial areas, which has emerged as a significant threat to human health. Specifically, long-term exposure to PM2.5 could lead to various lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary [...] Read more.
PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) is an air pollutant widely present in urban and industrial areas, which has emerged as a significant threat to human health. Specifically, long-term exposure to PM2.5 could lead to various lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The Glycoprotein A Repetitions Predominant (GARP) protein, a key receptor and regulator for TGF-β1, has recently emerged as a vital cytokine in PM2.5-induced pulmonary pathological changes. As a membrane glycoprotein, GARP binds to TGF-β, keeping it in an active state. Herein, PM2.5 treatment upregulated GARP and promoted Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) via TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway activation. Conversely, lentinan (a shiitake mushroom-derived polysaccharide) effectively reversed the PM2.5-induced GARP upregulation, alleviating EMT. This study elucidates the role of GARP in PM2.5-induced EMT through the TGF-β/SMAD pathway in pulmonary epithelial cells and discusses the therapeutic potential of lentinan. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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13 pages, 993 KiB  
Article
Associations of Urinary Perchlorate, Nitrate, and Thiocyanate with Female Infertility and Mediation of Obesity: Insights from NHANES 2013–2018
by Lan Zhang, Yuhe Peng, Yue Song, Yu Zhang, Qi Qin, Mengya Ying, Yiyun Bi and Ping Yin
Toxics 2025, 13(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010015 - 26 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 806
Abstract
Classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate have been implicated with obesity and reproductive disorders. This study used three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2013–2018); 813 women of reproductive age were finally included. We used [...] Read more.
Classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate have been implicated with obesity and reproductive disorders. This study used three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2013–2018); 813 women of reproductive age were finally included. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyze the associations between the three anions and obesity and infertility. Subsequently, we performed mediation analysis to explore the potential mediating effect of obesity on infertility in association with anion exposure. Increased concentrations of perchlorate and nitrate showed inverse correlations with the risk of obesity (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55–0.96; OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.40–0.87). Perchlorate was negatively associated with infertility (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.51–0.91), and obesity was a mediator in association between perchlorate and infertility. These findings suggest that women of reproductive age may be protected from obesity and infertility by exposure to perchlorate and nitrate, with obesity acting as a moderating factor in the observed association. This study provides a valuable understanding of the complex links between environmental contaminants, obesity, and reproductive health, and identifies potential strategies to reduce the risk of infertility and improve women’s health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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16 pages, 37876 KiB  
Article
Circ_0000284 Is Involved in Arsenite-Induced Hepatic Insulin Resistance Through Blocking the Plasma Membrane Translocation of GLUT4 in Hepatocytes via IGF2BP2/PPAR-γ
by Shiqing Xu, Zhida Hu, Yujie Wang, Qiyao Zhang, Zhi Wang, Teng Ma, Suhua Wang, Xiaohui Wang and Li Wang
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120883 - 4 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1241
Abstract
Arsenic exposure can induce liver insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes (DM), but the underlying mechanisms are not yet clear. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the regulation of the onset of diabetes, especially in the progression of IR. This study aimed to investigate [...] Read more.
Arsenic exposure can induce liver insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes (DM), but the underlying mechanisms are not yet clear. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the regulation of the onset of diabetes, especially in the progression of IR. This study aimed to investigate the role of circRNAs in arsenic-induced hepatic IR and its underlying mechanism. Male C57BL/6J mice were given drinking water containing sodium arsenite (0, 0.5, 5, or 50 ppm) for 12 months. The results show that sodium arsenite increased circ_0000284 expression, decreased insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), and inhibited cell membrane protein levels of insulin-responsive glucose transporter protein 4 (GLUT4) in the mouse livers, indicating that arsenic exposure causes liver damage and disruptions to glucose metabolism. Furthermore, sodium arsenite reduced glucose consumption and glycogen levels, increased the expression of circ_0000284, reduced the protein levels of IGF2BP2 and PPAR-γ, and inhibited GLUT4 protein levels in the cell membranes of insulin-treated HepG2 cells. However, a circ_0000284 inhibitor reversed arsenic exposure-induced reductions in IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 levels in the plasma membrane. These results indicate that circ_0000284 is involved in arsenite-induced hepatic insulin resistance through blocking the plasma membrane translocation of GLUT4 in hepatocytes via IGF2BP2/PPAR-γ. This study provides a scientific basis for finding early biomarkers for the control of arsenic exposure and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and discovering new prevention and control measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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18 pages, 2502 KiB  
Article
Effects of Co-Exposure to Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene, Polymorphisms of microRNA Genes, and Their Interactions on Genetic Damage in Chinese Petrochemical Workers
by Shuangqi Li, Xiaojing Liao, Rui Ma, Na Deng, Haimei Wu, Zhaorui Zhang, Liping Chen, Qing Wang, Qilong Liao, Qianxi Li, Xinyi Ouyang, Yongmei Xiao and Qifei Deng
Toxics 2024, 12(11), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110821 - 16 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1226
Abstract
Benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) co-exist in human environments, yet their individual and combined effects on genetic damage at low exposure levels are not fully understood. Additionally, single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNAs (mirSNPs) might be involved in cancer etiology by affecting the related [...] Read more.
Benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) co-exist in human environments, yet their individual and combined effects on genetic damage at low exposure levels are not fully understood. Additionally, single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNAs (mirSNPs) might be involved in cancer etiology by affecting the related early health damage. To investigate the influence of BTX exposure, mirSNPs, and their interactions on genetic damage, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 1083 Chinese petrochemical workers, quantifying the BTX cumulative exposure levels and multiple genetic damage biomarkers. Additionally, we genotyped multiple common mirSNPs. Benzene and a BTX mixture were positive associated with the olive tail moment (OTM) and tail DNA% (p < 0.05). Higher levels of toluene and xylene enhanced the association of benzene with genetic damage levels. Genotypes and/or mutant allele counts of miR-4482-related rs11191980, miR-4433-related rs136547, miR-27a-related rs2594716, miR-3130-related rs725980, and miR-3928-related rs878718 might significantly influence genetic damage levels. Stronger effect estimates of benzene/BTX exposure were found in carriers of miR-196a-2-related rs11614913 heterozygotes and of wild homozygotes of miR-1269b-related rs12451747, miR-612-related rs12803915, and miR-4804-related rs266437. Our findings provide further support of the involvement of BTX co-exposure, mirSNPs, and their gene–environment interactions in determining the severity of DNA strand break in a complex manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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13 pages, 2739 KiB  
Article
ZnO Nanoparticles-Induced MRI Alterations to the Rat Olfactory Epithelium and Olfactory Bulb after Intranasal Instillation
by Lifeng Gao, Yuguang Meng, Xiaowen Luo, Jiangyuan Chen and Xuxia Wang
Toxics 2024, 12(10), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100724 - 5 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1030
Abstract
Since zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely applied, the nano community and the general public have paid great attention to the toxicity of ZnO NPs. We detected 20-nm ZnO NPs biotoxicity following nasal exposure utilizing the non-invasive and real-time magnetic resonance [...] Read more.
Since zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely applied, the nano community and the general public have paid great attention to the toxicity of ZnO NPs. We detected 20-nm ZnO NPs biotoxicity following nasal exposure utilizing the non-invasive and real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique. MR images were scanned in the rat olfactory epithelium (OE) and olfactory bulb (OB) on a 4.7 T scanner following the treatment (as early as 1 day and up to 21 days after), and the histological changes were evaluated. The influence of the size of the ZnO NPs and chemical components was also investigated. Our study revealed that 20-nm ZnO NPs induced obvious structural disruption and inflammation in the OE and OB at the acute stage. The results suggest that the real-time and non-invasive advantages of MRI allow it to observe and assess, directly and dynamically, the potential toxicity of long-term exposure to ZnO NPs in the olfactory system. These findings indicate the size-dependent toxicity of ZnO NPs with respect to the olfactory bulb. Further study is needed to reveal the mechanism behind ZnO NPs’ toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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9 pages, 2076 KiB  
Communication
Uranium and Radium in Groundwater and Incidence of Colorectal Cancer in Georgia Counties, USA: An Ecologic Study
by Taylor Rooney, Lissa Soares, Tesleem Babalola, Alex Kensington, Jennie Williams and Jaymie R. Meliker
Toxics 2024, 12(10), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100705 - 28 Sep 2024
Viewed by 918
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly occurring cancer in the United States, with higher incidence rates among Black populations. Groundwater concentrations of natural radionuclides uranium and radium have seldom been investigated in relation to CRC despite their known carcinogenicity. We investigate [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly occurring cancer in the United States, with higher incidence rates among Black populations. Groundwater concentrations of natural radionuclides uranium and radium have seldom been investigated in relation to CRC despite their known carcinogenicity. We investigate spatial patterns of CRC by race, and in relation to groundwater concentrations of uranium and radium, testing the hypothesis that uranium and radium in groundwater might differentially contribute to incident CRC in Black and White populations in counties of Georgia, USA. Black populations showed a higher incidence of CRC than White populations; the median incident rate difference was 9.23 cases per 100,000 (95% CI: 2.14, 19.40). Spatial cluster analysis showed high incidence clusters of CRC in similar regions for Black and White populations. Linear regression indicated there are, on average, 1–2 additional cases of colorectal cancer in counties with higher levels of radium in their groundwater, irrespective of race. Uranium was not associated with CRC. This ecologic study suggests that radium in groundwater may be linked with increased incidence of CRC, although it did not explain higher CRC incidence rates in Black populations. Further studies are needed to verify this association given the inherent limitations in the ecologic study design and the crude exposure assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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11 pages, 744 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Ambient Air Pollution on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms: A Prospective Follow-Up Study
by Wen Sun, Chan Ding, Zhuoying Jiang, Xinliang Zheng, Jinlan Jiang and Huadong Xu
Toxics 2024, 12(9), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12090663 - 11 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2168
Abstract
Air pollution has become a serious public health problem and there is evidence that air pollution affects the incidence of allergic rhinitis. To further investigate the effect of ambient air pollutants on the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms, a prospective follow-up study in [...] Read more.
Air pollution has become a serious public health problem and there is evidence that air pollution affects the incidence of allergic rhinitis. To further investigate the effect of ambient air pollutants on the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms, a prospective follow-up study in patients with allergic rhinitis was conducted. A total of 167 allergic rhinitis patients with a mean age of 35.4 years, who were visiting the hospital, were enrolled. The daily symptom severity of allergic rhinitis and the concentrations of six air pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, O3 and NO2, were collected through follow-up investigations. The impact of ambient air pollutants on symptom severity was assessed via multi-pollutant models. Among several typical ambient air pollutants, we observed correlations of allergic rhinitis symptoms with PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2 and NO2, whereas O3 showed no such correlation. Specifically, PM2.5 and PM10 were significantly associated with sneezing and nasal blockage. NO2 was significantly correlated with symptoms of rhinorrhea, itchy nose and itchy eyes. CO was significantly linked to sneezing and nasal blockage symptoms. These air pollutants not only had a direct impact on allergic rhinitis symptoms but also exhibited a lagging effect. This study indicates that short-term exposure to air pollutants is associated with exacerbation of nasal symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis, leading to a decline in their quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Pollutants)
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