Bioaerosol nexus of air quality, climate system and human health
Fangxia Shen, Maosheng Yao
Abstract
Aerosols of biological origins, known as bioaerosols, in addition to having the aerosol properties, have those of a living system that offers them some enabling functionalities. From science to technology, visible progress around the world has been made in bioaerosol field before and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here the roles of bioaerosol across various disciplines, including air quality, climate and human health are highlighted and appreciated in light of Anthropocene and one health concept. In particular, we recognized the importance of aerobiology under haze air pollution, allergenic pollen and bioaerosol involvement in infectious and inflammation-related non-communicable diseases. Future interdisciplinary studies focusing on the chemical and biological process of microorganisms in air, airborne transmission of emerging pathogens and allergens and the association between bioaerosol exposure and the development and variations of human microbiome and immune response are needed to elucidate the interactions of bioaerosols with the earth system.