A new study led by scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and published in Dermatology and Therapy suggests a potential connection between air pollution and the development or exacerbation of skin conditions. The research emphasizes the need to address air quality concerns to alleviate the burden of skin diseases, particularly for vulnerable communities.
Senior author Dr. Arianne Shadi Kourosh, director of Community Health in the Department of Dermatology at MGH, explained that the investigation was prompted by patient reports of worsened skin conditions, such as eczema, during the summer—a season when these conditions typically improve due to moist conditions.
The researchers focused on the period following the 2023 Canadian wildfires, examining Environmental Protection Agency measurements of carbon monoxide levels in the Boston region. They correlated this data with dermatology clinic visits for dermatitis and eczema within the Mass General Brigham (MGB) hospital system, located 300 miles from the wildfires. Comparison with data from 2019–2022 revealed an unusual surge in carbon monoxide levels in July 2023, coinciding with a peak in visits for atopic dermatitis and eczema compared to the previous four years.
Carbon monoxide concentrations, averaging 0.22 ppm in May–September 2019–2022, rose to 0.6 ppm in July 2023. The researchers pointed out that exposure to pollutants from wildfires and chronic air pollution can lead to cumulative damage to the skin. These pollutants trigger a stress response, impacting collagen metabolism, promoting premature skin aging, and weakening the skin barrier, resulting in increased inflammation and damage.
Although airborne particulate matter was also higher during the peak of dermatitis-related clinic visits, the study chose to highlight carbon monoxide due to its atmospheric longevity and effectiveness in tracking downstream air pollution during wildfires.
Lead author Kathyana P. Santiago Mangual, a medical student, emphasized the importance of addressing air pollution, particularly in light of increasing wildfire events in North America. The study underscores the need to not only prevent and extinguish fires but also to purify the air to mitigate the negative health impacts on communities. Efforts to improve air quality are especially crucial for populations most vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution, including low-income communities, older individuals, and children.
The study acknowledges its retrospective nature, and the authors emphasize that correlation does not imply causation. Further research is essential to delve into the intricate connections between air pollution and skin problems.
Dr. Kourosh concluded, “As wildfire events in North America have been increasing, we must become equipped not only to prevent and extinguish fires, but to also clean or purify our air in order to minimize the negative impacts of these air pollution events on the health of our communities.” The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address air quality concerns and their potential impact on dermatological health.
Journal Reference
Kathyana P. Santiago Mangual et al, The Burden of Air Pollution on Skin Health: a Brief Report and Call to Action, Dermatology and Therapy (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s13555-023-01080-1.
