Environmental tobacco smoke, adult asthma

Weiss ST, Utell MJ, Samet JM (1999) Environmental tobacco smoke and asthma in adults. 

Fig. 1 A diagram of human exposure pathways and potential factors that aifect adult asthma susceptibility between urban and rural areas (PM j particulate matter less than 10 microm in diameter NO nitrogen dioxide ETS environmental tobacco smoke HDM house dust mite temp temperature)...

In most studies, reported lAQ and asthma morbidity data strongly indicated positive associations between indoor air pollution and adverse health effects in both urban and rural areas. Indoor factors most consistently associated with asthma and asthma-related symptoms in adults included fuel combustion, mold growth, and environmental tobacco smoke, in both rural and urban areas. Enviromnental exposures may increase an adult s risk of developing asthma and also may increase the risk of asthma exacerbations. 

Several factors are affecting asthma including environmental and individual factors. There is seasonal variability in asthma in autumn, it is increased, while in summer, it is minimum in the United States (Silverman et ah, 2003). The reasons for these variations include increased exposure to allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, and mould spores among yoimger generation and in adults it may be increased influenza or other respiratory tract infections (Riccioni et ah, 2001). Moreover, cigarette smoke is one of the most common asthmatic reasons. Both indoor and outdoor air pollutants may also increase asthma. Inhalation of toxic vapors from industrial fumes, bleach sulfur, or smoke from fire or tobacco may also affect asthma (Just et ah, 2002). 

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