Editing Sinusitis (section)

====Air pollution====
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which consists of particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, has been associated with an increased risk of developing rhinosinusitis.<ref name="Kim2015">{{cite journal |last=Kim |first=Hojoong |title=Effects of Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) on Nasal Mucociliary Transport and Mucus Secretion in Human Nasal Epithelial Cells |journal=American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy |volume=29 |issue=6 |pages=383–386 |year=2015 |doi=10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4236 |pmid=26634607}}</ref><ref name="Hwang2020">{{cite journal |last=Hwang |first=Shinyeon |title=Long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and chronic rhinosinusitis in adulthood |journal=International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology |volume=10 |issue=6 |pages=748–756 |year=2020 |doi=10.1002/alr.22520 |pmid=32129401}}</ref> PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the nasal and sinus mucosa, leading to inflammation and impaired mucociliary clearance.<ref name="Reh2012">{{cite journal |last=Reh |first=Douglas D. |title=Environmental exposures and chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review |journal=Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery |volume=146 |issue=5 |pages=733–741 |year=2012 |doi=10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.01.003 |pmid=22386545}}</ref> Individuals living in areas with higher concentrations of PM2.5 experience increased symptoms and exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis.<ref name="Zhang2014">{{cite journal |last=Zhang |first=Zhenyu |title=Association between indoor air pollution and chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review |journal=International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=4–15 |year=2014 |doi=10.1002/alr.21254 |pmid=24122709}}</ref> The fine particles cause oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to the pathogenesis of rhinosinusitis.<ref name="Harvey2015">{{cite journal |last=Harvey |first=Richard J. |title=Mucosal inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis: response to medical treatment |journal=Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=1–6 |year=2015 |doi=10.1097/MOO.0000000000000122 |pmid=25490611 |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4s33t2jp |access-date=2024-11-23 |archive-date=2024-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428153407/https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4s33t2jp |url-status=live }}</ref>

While both PM10 (particles less than 10 micrometers) and PM2.5 can affect the respiratory system, PM2.5 particles are more closely associated with rhinosinusitis due to their ability to reach deeper into the sinus cavities.<ref name="Maniscalco2015">{{cite journal |last=Maniscalco |first=Michele |title=High atmospheric particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) exposure is associated with increased nasal inflammation in allergic rhinitis |journal=Rhinology |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=193–199 |year=2015 |doi=10.3950/jibiinkoka.118.213 |pmid=26349337|doi-access=free }}</ref> These smaller particles bypass the nasal hair filtering mechanism and deposit in the mucous membranes of the sinuses, leading to greater inflammatory responses.<ref name="D'Amato2018">{{cite journal |last=D'Amato |first=Gennaro |title=Climate change, air pollution, and allergic respiratory diseases: a call to action for health professionals |journal=Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine |volume=13 |year=2018 |issue=9 Suppl |pages=S8–S41 |doi=10.1186/s40248-018-0122-7 |doi-broken-date=2024-11-23 |doi-access=free |pmid=29410723|pmc=5788261 }}</ref>

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed '''5&nbsp;μg/m<sup>3</sup>''', and 24-hour mean exposures should not exceed '''15&nbsp;μg/m<sup>3</sup>''' to minimize health risks.<ref name="WHO2021">{{cite book |title=WHO global air quality guidelines: Particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub>), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide |url=https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228 |date=22 September 2021|publisher=World Health Organization |isbn=9789240034228 |access-date=23 November 2024}}</ref> Exposure to concentrations above these thresholds has been linked to an increased incidence and severity of rhinosinusitis and other respiratory diseases.<ref name="Peden2020">{{cite journal |last=Peden |first=David B. |title=Mechanisms of pollution-induced airway disease: in vivo studies |journal=Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology |volume=16 |issue=1 |year=2020 |pages=680–681 |doi=10.1186/s13223-020-00431-3 |doi-access=free |pmid=32393680|pmc=7387257 }}</ref>