Polluted air with PM2.5 particles raises the risk of respiratory virus infections.

The Connection Between PM2.5 and ARVI

In one of the countries in East Africa, Kenya, the influence of PM2.5 concentration in the air on the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections among children under five years old was studied . Researchers found that children who inhaled polluted air for extended periods had a significantly higher risk of developing ARVI. Among 7,036 children under five who participated in the study, 46.8% sought medical attention for ARVI symptoms in the first two weeks after pollution levels increased. During that month, the PM2.5 concentration reached 18.31 µg/m³, which is 3-4 times higher than the WHO standard.

It is worth noting that in Tashkent, the PM2.5 concentration reached 500 µg/m³ in the autumn and winter months.

What is the situation in Uzbekistan?

There is no precise data on the increase in illness among children in Tashkent related to rising PM2.5 levels. Kun.uz sent a request to the Sanitary and Epidemiological Committee to find out how much the number of seasonal illness cases has increased in recent years. However, the committee did not respond to the request.

Overall, there is widespread information among the capital's residents about overcrowded clinics during the autumn-winter season and increased waiting times. In November 2024, videos surfaced on social media showing that the Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 1 in the Yunusabad district was overwhelmed with patients. At that time, the district health department confirmed the increase in respiratory disease cases and announced the opening of an additional ward. In January, a video circulated claiming that a large number of children with metapneumovirus infection were admitted to the Republican Pediatric Center. However, the Ministry of Health denied this information, explaining that the situation was due to the temporary closure of some departments for preventive work, which led to subsequent overcrowding after reopening.

Whether the increase in patients at clinics is due to the rising population of Tashkent or PM2.5 air pollution cannot be determined yet. Final conclusions can be drawn after the Ministry of Health publishes accurate statistics.

Mothers' Opinions on Cold Diseases in Children

Kun.uz spoke with mothers raising children under four years old about the impact of polluted air on their health. They noted that during periods of deteriorating air quality in the capital, their children experienced cold illnesses more frequently.

"When the air in the city worsened, colds intensified"

Mother of a three-year-old girl:

In the autumn of 2024, during October and November, air pollution levels in Tashkent increased, and during this time, my daughter's cold lasted longer, which forced us to resort to stronger medications. Now she has a slight runny nose again, and this happens very often.

I notice that many children her age also have a constant runny nose. If inflammation develops in the nose due to a virus, it becomes difficult to get rid of it. Doctors often explain this by the curvature of the septum and other physiological features, but few discuss the impact of polluted air in detail. I am curious about how the cold season progresses in countries with cleaner environments and how the condition of sick children differs there from ours. As a mother, I believe that the link between air pollution and respiratory diseases, especially in the context of Uzbekistan, should be studied more deeply. We need to better understand how air pollution levels affect the course of respiratory diseases in children and adults.

If children are ill, and the air worsens their condition, mothers, seeing that their child is not recovering for a long time, are forced to resort to stronger medications and antibiotics. Perhaps one reason for the widespread use of antibiotics is precisely this. For example, in India, where air pollution levels are also high, antibiotic consumption is significantly higher, likely due to severe inflammatory processes.

"After buying a humidifier, things improved"

Mother of two children under three years old:

My first daughter was born in 2021. Until she was two, she had no problems. But in 2022, when the air quality in the city began to deteriorate, she started to experience frequent coughing, nasal congestion, and wheezing when breathing. Because she could not breathe freely through her nose, colds became more frequent, and recovery took longer.

After we bought a humidifier, her condition improved significantly. Colds became milder and passed more quickly. Later, we purchased an air filtration device, and I noticed that the children found it even easier to breathe. We have now been living in the UK for two months, and my children no longer have these problems. They do not sleep with their mouths open, breathe normally, and do not catch colds at all. I also feel the difference: the quality of my sleep has improved, physical fatigue has disappeared, and I no longer feel groggy in the mornings.

"My children often have a runny nose"

Mother of two sons under four years old:

My older son was born in 2021, and the younger one in 2022. Until they were one year old, both were practically never sick. But now both of them often have a runny nose, and if anything happens, they get nasal congestion. I think this is related to the air. During flu season, they, like other children, catch viruses. But when the air becomes dirtier, they also develop allergic reactions.

From my own experience, I can say that starting in 2022, when I get the flu, I recover very slowly. I treat myself for a month, and my husband has the same situation. Colds have become much more severe. Perhaps this is somehow related to the coronavirus, but I am not sure.

"The Increase of PM2.5 and the Spread of Infections"

Kun.uz received a comment on the relationship between air pollution and the spread of infections from virologist Sharof Tugizov of the University of California. According to him, cities with elevated PM2.5 concentrations saw an increase in COVID-19 cases and related deaths during the pandemic. This led to the initiation of scientific studies, the first results of which are just now being published.

"According to these studies, it has been established that an increase in the number of toxic particles in the air contributes to the increased spread of viral infections. It has also been determined how this occurs. Primarily, if the PM2.5 level rises in high humidity, they combine with viruses present in the air. When an infected person breathes, the viruses are released, and if there is a lot of PM2.5 in the air, they combine to form complexes" , — explained the virologist.

He added that humidity also accelerates the penetration of PM2.5 particles into the body. How does this happen?

"PM2.5 particles damage the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, which are the first line of defense for the body against viruses. If they are damaged, the protective functions decrease. These particles cause inflammation. If inflammation develops in the lungs and bronchi, the illness is more severe" , — says the virologist.

According to the scientist, PM2.5 particles also slow down the immune system's functioning. For instance, when a virus enters the body, the immune system produces antibodies to fight it. However, PM2.5 particles suppress this process, leading to prolonged recovery. This mechanism is also observed in other seasonal diseases.

In the last two years, the autumn-winter season in Tashkent has been accompanied by extremely unfavorable weather conditions. The main reason is the multiple exceedance of the acceptable level of PM2.5 particles in the air. This, in turn, is linked to many enterprises in the city and about a thousand greenhouses in the vicinity starting to use coal instead of gas.

According to a relevant decree, all greenhouses must install emission purification equipment by November 2025, which should somewhat improve air quality.

Until then, responsible agencies should disclose accurate statistics on the increase in illness in Tashkent since the air