Effects of heavy metal exposure on bronchial asthma in children
Bronchial asthma(asthma)is a chronic respiratory disease with complex etiology.Because of increasing application of heavy metals in human society,human exposure to heavy metals is a challenge to public health.This review summarizes recent studies to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of heavy metal exposure on asthma in chil-dren.Results of researches have showed that heavy metal exposure resulted in production of reactive oxygen species(ROS)to induce oxidative stress,enhancement of the level of inflammatory cytokines,promoting airway inflamma-tory response and airway remodeling and thus aggravating the occurrence and development of asthma.Further study on these effects may lead to the development of clinical guidance for asthma management.