Heliya Erfani Rad,1Sahar Heydari,2Baran Ahmadloo,3Elina Zamani,4Negin Golestani,5,*
1. Student in Farzanegan 2 Arak (Sampad) 2. Student in Farzanegan 2 Arak (Sampad) 3. Student in Farzanegan 2 Arak (Sampad) 4. Student in Farzanegan 2 Arak (Sampad) 5. Teacher in Farzanegan 2 Arak (Sampad)
Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about 11.3% of global deaths annually, totaling around seven million early deaths. In recent years, the fossil fuels burning has increased and has changed the atmospheric composition. Air pollutants components including carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone (O3), heavy metals, and suspended particles (PM2.5) cause genetic changes in humans. In this review, we intend to investigate the effects of air pollution on the human genome and human health.
Methods: In this review study, four databases including Google scholar, PubMed, CID and Civilica; And keywords like air pollution, human genome, epigenetic, genetic mutation are used for gathering the information. Articles that hadn’t had our purpose, were omitted from the study process.
Results: Humans are usually exposed to mixtures of air pollutants, which vary in composition, dose, and exposure time. Genetic susceptibility varies among individuals based on their health and genetic background. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and changes in gene expression and DNA methylation, especially in genes related to immune regulation and disease processes. On the other hand, air pollution can lead to genetic alternations, increase the risk of diseases and intergenerational effects. Genetic and epigenetic changes caused by air pollution may predispose people to various diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory disorders. If these changes persist, may remain through cell division, affecting how cells express genes throughout their lifetime and as it happens across generations which is a very worrying issue. Studies have shown that elderly people, children and fetuses (due to their developing physiological system), pregnant mothers and people who have already had lung or heart diseases are more at risk of genetic changes caused by air pollution.
Conclusion: The interplay between air pollution and genetics underscores a complex relationship where environmental exposures can lead to significant epigenetic modifications that influence health outcome across generations. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted interventions aimed at reducing the impact of air pollution on vulnerable populations, particularly those genetically predisposed to adverse health effects. Continued research is essential to unravel the specific pathways through which air pollution affects genetic expressions and to identify effective strategies for prevention and treatment.
Keywords: air pollution, human genome, epigenetic, genetic mutation