Air pollution may make rheumatoid arthritis more active and increase the likelihood of painful flare-ups, according to a new study. Researchers in South Korea wanted to determine whether air pollution could also affect disease activity and trigger flares in people who already had the condition. Tracking Air Pollution and Arthritis FlaresThe prospective cohort study followed 1,070 people with RA at a major medical center in South Korea. This process may damage DNA and activate inflammatory responses in different organs, potentially contributing to greater RA activity and more frequent flares. Even so, the results suggest that limiting prolonged exposure during periods of poor air quality may be a practical precaution.