There’s new concern over the connection between global warming and respiratory health. The study, “Global Warming Risks Dehydrating and Inflaming Human Airways,” has revealed that rising temperatures and increased water evaporation rates could lead to dehydration and inflammation of human airways. This research, which was published in Communications Earth & Environment, underscores the potential for exacerbated lung diseases as the result of climate change.
The study found that higher evaporation rates in dry atmospheres can thin airway mucus layers and compress epithelial cells, leading to increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-33 and IL-6. Water evaporates from the larynx and trachea, thinning the mucus layer and compressing epithelial cells.
Researchers also discovered progressive thinning of the mucus layer and elevated inflammatory responses in their experiments with human tracheal-bronchial cells exposed to varying degrees of dryness (relative humidities of 95%, 60% and 30% at 37°C, or 98.6°F). They also noted that chronic mouth breathing, obesity, allergic rhinitis and aging contribute to the risk of airway dehydration.
In mice studies, researchers noted that a muco-inflammatory phenotype exposed to intermittent dry air for 14 days exhibited histopathological changes and increased inflammatory infiltrates. This suggests that chronic exposure to dry air can lead to significant respiratory inflammation, researchers wrote.
Although climate change continues to be a hot-button topic across the globe, researchers said the study has two primary implications for human health:
- Increased risk for exacerbated lung diseases: Climate model simulations indicate that most people living in the United States will face elevated risks of airway inflammation by the latter half of this century due to rising vapor pressure deficit (VPD) associated with global warming.
- Worsened chronic conditions: The study suggests that chronic exposure to dry air, exacerbated by global warming, could worsen conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and other respiratory diseases.
The research methodology combined continuum mathematical analysis, in vitro experiments with human cells and in vivo studies with mice to explore the effects of dry air on airway health. Using climate model simulations, the study assessed the future impact of rising VPD on human respiratory health across the continental United States.
Researchers said their findings highlight an urgent need for addressing the respiratory health impacts of global warming. As temperatures continue to rise, the risk of airway dehydration and inflammation increases, posing significant challenges for public health.
