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Review
. 2025 Mar 11;25(1):16.
doi: 10.1007/s11882-025-01197-7.

The Role of the Environment and Occupational Exposures in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

W Jared Martin  1 , Yasine Mirmozaffari  2 , Lauren M Cook  2 , Ezer H Benaim  2 , Aurelia S Monk  2 , Michael Armstrong  2 , Jackson Vuncannon  2 , Cristine Klatt-Cromwell  2 , Charles S Ebert Jr  2 , Brian D Thorp  2 , Brent A Senior  2 , Tom Raz Yarkoni #  2 , Adam J Kimple #  2
Affiliations
Review

The Role of the Environment and Occupational Exposures in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

W Jared Martin et al. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of the review is to summarize the current literature and evaluate how different environmental exposures may contribute to the development and course of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The review aims to explore the relationship between host factors and environmental exposures in the pathogenesis of CRS.

Recent findings: Recent studies have helped establish the role of air pollutants, tobacco smoke, occupational exposures, and microplastics in the pathogenesis of CRS. These exposures have been shown to cause epithelial dysfunction and promote inflammation through different mechanisms and to different degrees. The pathogenesis of CRS is complex and multifactorial, with environmental exposures playing a key role in its onset and exacerbation. Research indicates that pollutants can damage the sinonasal epithelial barrier and disrupt the microbiome, leading to increased inflammation. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind this inflammatory process and its link to environmental exposures could enhance strategies for preventing and treating CRS.

Keywords: Chronic rhinosinusitis; Environmental exposures; Occupational exposures; Particulate matter; Pollutants.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

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