Environmental Pollutants and Their Effects on Respiratory Allergy

Association Between Environmental Pollutants and Their Effects on Respiratory

In Latin America and the Caribbean, more than 100 million people are exposed to higher levels of pollution than those recommended by WHO. The objective of the study is to determine the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants and the prevalence and exacerbation of respiratory allergy. It is an observational, prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study that will include subjects older than 6 years who come to the consultation of the Regional Center for Allergy and Clinical Immunology with a diagnosis of respiratory allergy, positive skin tests and who live in Monterrey and its metropolitan area. After verbal assent, the subject's address and work area will be registered, the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test and the Asthma Control Test as well as spirometry will be made. The geolocation of industries and avenues near the address and work area of subjects will be carried out, as well as the determination of pollutants and pollens by the Integral Monitoring System (SIMA) and the Pollen Sense device. Subsequently, the correlation between exposure to pollutants and respiratory allergy will be analyzed. Dispersion models will be built considering pollutants and climatic factors (precipitation, wind speed, humidity and temperature). By carrying out this project, it will be possible to contribute to the identification of the factors that lead to the development and exacerbation of allergic respiratory diseases and subsequently propose the implementation of measures for their control and recommendations for prevention to the population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects over 6 years of age who attend the the Regional Center of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of the University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González "with a diagnosis of respiratory allergy (allergic rhinitis and asthma) and type I immunological hypersensitivity demonstrated by skin tests by an allergist; and who live in the city of Monterrey and its metropolitan area.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects for whom it is not possible to perform a pulmonary function test or who have concomitant diseases such as COPD, heart disease or some other pathology that, in the opinion of the investigator, may cause confusion with respiratory symptoms. Patients with negative skin tests to aeroallergens.