Environmental exposure to air pollution and climate: Intersecting the impact on ear and nose health and chemosensory function (Review)

Air pollution, an emerging global environmental issue, alongside extreme meteorological conditions exacerbated by climate change, threaten the sustainability of modern society and contribute to the onset and progression of various ear and nose diseases. Nonetheless, the impact of these environmental factors on ear and nose diseases and related dysfunctions remain inadequately explored. The present review involved a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and Embase for relevant epidemiological and experimental data. How environmental factors contribute to olfactory and auditory system dysfunctions as well as the potential underlying mechanisms from the perspectives of immunity and inflammation were examined in the present review. It was found that air pollution and meteorological factors significantly influence the prevalence of major ear and nose diseases, including allergic rhinitis, otitis media and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Of note, the present review also provides an examination of the interaction between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and environmental factors in ear and nose diseases, highlighting how environmental stressors may worsen disease progression. In conclusion, the present review underscores the burden of multimorbidity caused by air pollution and extreme weather and emphasizes the need for more targeted prevention and management strategies for ear and nose diseases.