How do air pollutants affect patients with COPD?
Lung Disease

How do air pollutants affect patients with COPD?

Patients with lung disease already experience infections, flare-ups and difficulty breathing. So what happens when these people are exposed to air pollutants, which are damaging even for healthy lungs?

Researcher Annalicia is investigating how common air pollutants, such as diesel, affect patients with lung disease as well as testing how alternatives such as biodiesel may impact these lung cells.

By using a large sample of cells from 40 lung disease patients, Annalicia is using a special method of exposing these cells to various pollutants. While previous exposure methods have involved exposing lung cells to a fluid, Annalicia is exposing these cells to aspirates to better mimic a real-life scenario – breathing.

With her research, Annalicia is hoping to find out the impact of diesel and biodiesels on lung disease and cancer patients in order to potentially begin developing an intervention using antioxidants. This intervention could then be used by patients who live within or have to visit urban areas for treatment to try and fight the effects of these pollutants and reduce flare ups for patients.

This research will be highly informative and usable across the globe, with the potential to shape future biodiesel and fuel emission laws; if it leads to further patient based studies.

Support The Common Good here.

Published: June 11, 2019

Related news & events

What is a Giving Day?

The Common Good

What is a Giving Day?

What is a Giving Day? Giving days are becoming an increasingly popular way to fundraise. We explain what they are and the benefits.

Find out more

Grandfriends Ageless Play Program in Brisbane Expands

Aging

Grandfriends Ageless Play Program in Brisbane Expands

Grandfriends ageless play program in Brisbane expands thanks to support generated at The Common Good's 2022 Giving Day.

Find out more

Dementia Action Week 2023: ‘Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future’

Aging

Dementia Action Week 2023: ‘Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future’

Dementia Action Week 2023 runs from the 18th to the 24th of September: Dementia Australia is encouraging people to ‘act now for a dementia-friendly future’.

Find out more

Healing Ceilings Installed at Brisbane’s The Prince Charles Hospital

Hospital Care

Healing Ceilings Installed at Brisbane’s The Prince Charles Hospital

Some of the sickest patients in The Prince Charles Hospital’s thoracic ward can now look up and let their minds wander into nature, following the installation of Healing Ceilings.

Find out more

Include a Charity Week 2023: The Impact of Leaving a Gift in Will

The Common Good

Include a Charity Week 2023: The Impact of Leaving a Gift in Will

Have you heard of Include a Charity Week? Click here to read about the social change campaign and how you can have a lasting impact.

Find out more

What is Lung Disease?

Lung Disease

What is Lung Disease?

In this blog, we explain what lung disease is, discuss different types of lung disease and shed some light on common misconceptions.

Find out more

Ekka Strawberry Sundae Sales Records Tumble in 2023

The Common Good

Ekka Strawberry Sundae Sales Records Tumble in 2023

Ekka Strawberry Sundae Sales 2023: Sunny skies, soaring temps and support from showgoers all combined to create record-breaking sales.

Find out more

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): What is it?

Lung Disease

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): What is it?

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is “a disease that afflicts many people at random.” Learn more about it in this blog.

Find out more

Bill Van Nierop: Life After Transplant

Lung Disease

Bill Van Nierop: Life After Transplant

Bill Van Nierop is incredibly grateful for the life-saving transplant he received. In this blog, we share more about Bill’s life and challenges he’s experienced after transplant.

Find out more