Bio: Dr. Chuang Hsiao-Chi is a researcher specializing in environmental toxicology and respiratory medicine, with a focus on air quality's impact on respiratory diseases. He holds a Bachelor's in Occupational Safety and Health from China Medical University, Taiwan, China, a Master's in Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene from National Taiwan University, and a PhD from Cardiff University, UK, where his research explored how pollutants exacerbate lung pathophysiology through oxidative stress and inflammation. Dr. Chuang has authored over 230 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, covering topics such as air pollution, COPD, and asthma. He has served as Editors for prominent journals, contributing to respiratory diseases and environmental exposures.

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health issue, currently the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide and projected to become the third by 2020. While smoking is a key risk factor, many COPD patients are non-smokers, pointing to other contributors like air pollution. Epidemiological studies link acute COPD exacerbations (AEs) to urban levels of particulate matter (PM), with PM exposure reducing lung function and accelerating COPD progression. A cohort study found that each unit increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 2.3% rise in AEs, and exposure above 15.4 μg/m³ raised AE risk by 54%. Recent U.S. studies show chronic exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5 and NOx correlates with emphysema progression, confirmed through CT imaging and lung function tests. Cellular senescence—where cells stop dividing—plays a role in aging-related diseases like COPD. Alveolar type II epithelial cells (AECII), vital for repairing alveolar damage, undergo increased apoptosis in COPD, disrupting normal regeneration. This imbalance in cell turnover—heightened proliferation alongside apoptosis—leads to alveolar destruction and reduced lung surface area, key features of emphysema. Understanding how air pollution drives these pathological changes is crucial for addressing COPD’s progression and developing effective interventions.