부산대학교 도서관

Health impacts of particulate matter (PM) have become a global concern. PM tends to affectpatients with allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (AR), more severely. Many epidemio-logical studies have shown that PM increases outpatient clinic visits as well as the prevalenceand severity of AR, while decreasing the quality of life of AR patients. However, the exactmechanisms underlying the effects of PM on the development and exacerbation of AR are stillpoorly understood. Various mechanisms are involved in the effects of PM on AR, includingimmunological response, oxidative stress, epithelial barrier dysfunction, allergic sensitization,and epigenetic modification. This article reviews epidemiological and clinical studies on theeffects of PM on AR, and the mechanisms by which PM aggravates AR.