Dr. Manish Khanna, an Otolaryngologist at Capitol Breathe Free, has highlighted that allergens, pollution, and traffic-related pollutants in metropolitan areas are common triggers for sinus inflammation, infections, and chronic sinusitis symptoms. This statement was made in an Instagram post.
"We're a major metropolitan area. There's a fair amount of pollution and exhaust," said Manish Khanna, according to Instagram. "I wouldn't say we're a major industrial manufacturing area, but there are a lot of people in our region. People drive a lot, and it's a heavy traffic area. And so these are common triggers for sinus inflammation and sinus infections and just the overall chronic sinusitis symptoms. These are common triggers for sinus inflammation, sinus infections, and overall chronic sinusitis symptoms."
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, outdoor air pollutants such as traffic exhaust, ozone, and industrial emissions can contribute to sinonasal inflammatory conditions like allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. Both acute and prolonged exposures can trigger or worsen symptoms in sensitive individuals. Urban residents may face heightened risks due to consistently high pollutant levels.
A study published in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology examined thousands of U.S. adults and found a significant association between long-term fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) exposure and chronic rhinosinusitis risk. Participants in the highest quartile of exposure had 1.4 times greater odds of developing CRS. Researchers concluded that sustained exposure to PM₂.₅ might contribute to the sinus disease burden in the population.
Research published in Environment International analyzed 18,121 participants and found that higher ambient PM₂.₅ levels correlated with increased chronic rhinosinusitis prevalence. Each 5 µg/m³ rise in PM₂.₅ was linked to a 1.18-fold increase in CRS odds. The authors noted that these findings highlight the influence of environmental air quality on sinus health in urban environments.
Khanna is a board-certified Otolaryngologist who earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and an MD from Albany Medical College in 2002. He completed his residency and chief residency at Albany Medical Center, followed by a Rhinology and Advanced Endoscopic Sinus Surgery fellowship at the California Sinus Institute. He has been named a "Top Doctor" by Washingtonian magazine and is a member of both the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the American Rhinologic Society.
Capitol Breathe Free is an ENT clinic with locations in Arlington and Woodbridge, Virginia, specializing in sinus and allergy care. They use advanced technologies like balloon sinuplasty and diagnostic imaging to diagnose and treat both structural and allergic sinusitis causes, offering minimally invasive, tailored care plans for chronic sinus problems.