I haven't had a problem exactly like you describe, but on three occasions over the past two years I have gone through periods when any type of pollution, especially something like auto exhaust, was very distressing to me. It was like having a super sense of smell for certain things, and the result was so powerful that the inside of my nose, sinuses and lungs actually felt chemically burned by the pollutant.

During these times I did experience increased depression, but that was likely due to the physical suffering.