Frampton M W, Samet J M, Utell M J
Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642.
Semin Respir Infect. 1991 Dec;6(4):185-93.
Respiratory infections result from complex interactions between the infectious organism and the host, and exposure to environmental pollutants may alter host resistance. The atmospheric pollutants implicated in respiratory infections include acidic aerosols, particles, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and household allergens. An extensive epidemiological literature has been established linking environmental tobacco smoke to increased occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in children; exposure to smoke from cooking and heating fires may also increase the risk of serious infections. Experimental evidence suggests that exposure to nitrogen dioxide and acidic aerosols may impair specific host defense mechanisms. Individuals with underlying lung or heart disease, as well as infants and the elderly, are among those most susceptible to the effects of environmental pollutants. Efforts should be directed toward reducing the exposure of children to environmental tobacco smoke and products of unvented combustion while investigations continue.
呼吸道感染是由感染性生物体与宿主之间的复杂相互作用引起的，接触环境污染物可能会改变宿主抵抗力。与呼吸道感染有关的大气污染物包括酸性气溶胶、颗粒物、二氧化氮、臭氧、二氧化硫和家庭过敏原。已经建立了大量流行病学文献，将环境烟草烟雾与儿童下呼吸道感染发生率增加联系起来；接触烹饪和取暖火灾产生的烟雾也可能增加严重感染的风险。实验证据表明，接触二氧化氮和酸性气溶胶可能会损害特定的宿主防御机制。患有潜在肺部或心脏病的个体，以及婴儿和老年人，是最易受环境污染物影响的人群。在继续进行调查的同时，应努力减少儿童接触环境烟草烟雾和无通风燃烧产物的机会。
