In the winter air pollution changes children’s nose bacteria and reduces microbial diversity.
Air pollution not only damages children’s lungs – it also changes the natural balance of bacteria in their nose. A recent study from the Italian city of Milan followed the school -age children during winter and spring so that the air they breathe affect their nose microbium. Researchers wanted to know how seasonal pollution affects children’s nasal ecosystem, and what it can mean for their health.
To study this, children were wearing air monitoring devices, which measuring pollution -like pollution -like pollution from car route and volatility organic compounds (VOCS), which is often released from domestic products. Researchers took the nose shrubs and compared the results between the seasons. They found that in the winter – when the pollution levels were two to three times higher – the children’s nose transmitted dramatically in the types and quantities of bacteria.
In the cold months, the children had more bacteria MorxellaWhich can cause infection and make other helpful bacteria sheep. At the same time, a variety of nose bacteria went down. A low diverse compound of bacteria can make harmful microbes and prevent infection. This change happened rapidly – even during high pollution exhibition hours. Spring samples tell a different story. Children’s nose microbiomes become more balanced and diverse, usually called with harmless bacteria Stephlooxus.

The study also showed how different pollution affected bacterial makeup. Black carbon, mainly from diesel engines, was linked to a low type of bacteria in both seasons. Meanwhile, VOCS – such as fragrant cleaning products have more target effects. A compound, lemonin, who gives his scent to lemons, helps helpful bacteria such as Neisseriaceae And the whole groups like Actinobacita. It seems that another VOC, Method Territile-Butile Ether, increases some bacteria associated with inflammation in the wind path.
Interestingly, indoor air pollution also had a major effect. The children who are exposed to second -hand smoke in the house have about 15 % lower variety in their nose bacteria, even when the outer air quality was the same. This is a sign that what happens inside the house is just as important as what is in the air. Many families may not realize that strong cleaning spray, light aroma candles, or burning inside the house can fill the air with hidden distressing, which quietly changes a child’s natural defense.
The advantage of this is that children’s nose microscopes – which help to filter air and protect them from disease – are sensitive to short -lived pollution. And that shifts can be settled in the shifts, the flames of asthma and other respiratory problems. Since the children spend more time inside the house in the winter and breathe more polluted air, their nose bacteria are removed from balance. Hot months and clean helps to restore it.
Parents can take easy steps to reduce these effects. Use of low toxic cleaning equipment, avoiding indoor smoking, and keeping homes well ventilated can help. Choosing school routes can also protect children with less traffic and supporting clean air policies near schools. Although further research is needed, this study suggests that everyday air pollution does not stop only on the lungs – it begins to replace the baby’s nose after exhibition. And it can give the form of how many times they get sick, especially during the cold months when the wind is in its dirt.
Sources:
Air pollution new shapes children’s nasal microbium and reduces diversity in winter
Short -term personal exhibition for multiple air pollution affects nose microbetta in school age children