A new study showed that people living closer to the equator are more likely to have asthma and allergies than others, compared to people living far from the latitude line, European researchers recently reported.
According to the authors of the study, this association may be associated with a large exposure of people to ultraviolet-B rays of sunlight.
“This increase in UV-B may be due to vitamin D, which is thought to affect the immune system,” said lead author of the study, Vika Oktaria of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “These changes may lead to an increased risk of allergies and asthma.” In addition, there is an assumption that the closer a person is to the equator, the more flowering plants and herbs grow around him. Plant pollen is also known to be one of the most common allergens. However, this theory is not supported by researchers, since asthma does not depend on the flowering of various herbs.
This study, published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, is the first work to examine the relationship between geography and allergy / asthma risk. Previous studies have shown that environmental factors associated with life at different latitudes can affect a person’s perception of airborne allergens. When these allergens enter the respiratory tract, they are irritating and can cause serious health problems.