Climate change may be affecting our immune systemAs a study conducted by the University of Bergen in Norway revealed. This research reveals the close relationship between indoor environmental factors, microbial communities and their potential effects on human health.
The findings offer insights that could shape our habitats and health for generations to come. The research was published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
In this study, conducted in five Scandinavian cities, the researchers sought to explore the complex world of indoor microbial communities and their link to human health. Covering 1,038 households, the survey impacts: environmental role of indoor air and house dust on humans to shape the bacterial microbiome.
“This pioneering work, aimed at redefining our understanding of indoor environments, has uncovered associations between geographic location, weather conditions, characteristics of building occupants, pets and cleaning practices, and the composition of the indoor microbiota,” says university researcher Hesham Amin. from the Bergen School of Medicine.
Climate change and the risk of developing asthma and atopy
Researchers have found that exposure to a variety of microbial agents is inversely related to the risk of asthma and the development of atopy. Based on this information, the study highlighted that: The protective “farm-like” microbiota, which is responsible for a lower risk of asthma and atopy, contains greater amounts of specific outdoor-associated bacteria.
Curiously, the same bacteria are less common in the houses analyzed In the city of Bergen, where more precipitation and a decrease in wind speed prevent it from entering the interior.
The research team analyzed the implications of the increasing impact of climate change on this problem. As global warming is expected to intensify precipitation patterns, the wet accumulation of foreign particles will increase and entry of external bacteria may be reduced.
As a result, fewer external bacteria will reach the internal microbiomes. This change can lead to undesirable health consequences that threaten the body’s immune tolerance.
“This groundbreaking research highlights the close interplay between environmental factors, microbial communities and their potential impact on human health,” says Amin.
“The findings are a wake-up call to continue research.” The delicate balance between our inner environment and our well-being. As we navigate an ever-changing world, understanding the nuances of the microbiome within us is at the forefront and provides insights into our habitats and our health for future generations.”
Reference work: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c01616
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