Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters
Published on: July 12, 2024
Role of Environmental Air Pollution in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Evelyn M Leland1, Zhenyu Zhang1, Kathleen M Kelly1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, 601 N. Caroline St. JHOC 6263, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a highly prevalent disease with large social and financial burdens. The pathophysiology is multifactorial. Environmental pollutants have been suggested to play a role in the inflammatory component of the disease process.
Recent Findings:
Recent work has focused on exposure to various pollutants, primarily particulate matter (PM). Exposure to environmental pollutants leads to upregulation of inflammatory markers and ciliary dysfunction at the cellular level. Mouse models suggest a role for epithelial barrier dysfunction contributing to inflammatory changes after pollutant exposure. Clinical studies support the role of pollutants contributing to disease severity in certain populations, but the role in CRS incidence or prevalence is less clear. Research is limited by the retrospective nature of most studies. This review focuses on recent advancements in our understanding of the impact of environmental pollutants in CRS, limitations of the available data, and potential opportunities for future studies.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
Asthma-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....

