CHEST Guidelines-Surviving-With-Smog-and-Smoke_2017

Surviving-With-Smog-and-Smoke_2017_chest (1)

Pdf Summary

The document "Surviving With Smog and Smoke" by Hua Cai, MD, PhD, and Chen Wang, MD, PhD, addresses the persistent global challenge of air pollution. Despite ongoing efforts by governments, air pollutants like smog and secondhand smoke continue to pose significant threats to public health, contributing to millions of premature deaths annually from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Historical references cite the infamous Great Smog of London in 1952, and recent severe pollution episodes in London and Beijing highlight ongoing issues, with particulate matter levels soaring beyond safe limits as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).<br /><br />The text examines the compounding effects of smog and secondhand smoke, explaining how pollutants like particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide exacerbate oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to DNA damage. These environmental hazards prompt considerable morbidity and mortality, sharing similar toxicological pathways.<br /><br />The authors propose precision medicine as a prospective solution. Recent advances in genomic and epigenomic research have revealed mutation signatures and epigenetic changes triggered by air pollution and smoking, which are implicated in diseases like lung cancer. By identifying specific somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications, targeted therapies can be developed to intervene in disease pathways, offering a personalized approach to treatment and prevention.<br /><br />The commentary discusses utilizing genomic biomarkers and pharmacogenomics to guide interventions, aiming to mitigate health impacts through early intervention strategies and therapies tailored to individual genetic susceptibilities. As precision medicine evolves, it presents a promising avenue for combating health risks associated with air pollution, while generic antioxidants such as B vitamins and other dietary components may offer interim protective benefits against oxidative stress-related damage. Overall, the document underscores the need for urgent attention and innovative strategies to address the pervasive issues of smog and smoke in public health.

Keywords

air pollution

smog

secondhand smoke

public health

precision medicine

genomic research

particulate matter

oxidative stress

DNA damage

targeted therapies