Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Air Pollution: A Review

Air pollution exposure is one of the main risk factors for respiratory system diseases, including airway diseases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Few studies have been done concerning Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and its relationship with air pollution. Particulate Matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), and Heavy Metals (HM) are the most important air pollutants found to exert harmful effects on the human and environment. This review aimed to study the health effects of air pollution on respiratory systems, especially COPD. A narrative review of the literature was done from 1978 to 2020 in various databases, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, Springer, PubMed, NCBI, and BMJ. The results indicated that air pollution exposure could increase respiratory diseases, especially COPD. According to the results, COPD is caused by poor airflow and long-term breathing problems due to disrupted lung tissue. Based on the results, hazardous air pollutants induce destructive effects on the lung and result in COPD. Thus, COPD is a critical public health issue in Iran and the world. To decrease the rate of COPD attributed to air pollutants, we should use policies to decrease pollutant emissions.