Air Pollution and Childhood Respiratory Allergies in the United States

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood respiratory allergies, which contribute to missed school days and other activity limitations, have increased in recent years, possibly due to environmental factors.ObjectiveIn this study we examined whether air pollutants are associated with childhood respiratory allergies in the United States.MethodsFor the approximately 70,000 children from the 1999–2005 National Health Interview Survey eligible for this study, we assigned between 40,000 and 60,000 ambient pollution monitoring data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, depending on the pollutant. We used monitors within 20 miles of the child’s residential block group. We used logistic regression models, fit with methods for complex surveys, to examine the associations between the reporting of respiratory allergy or hay fever and annual average exposure to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), PM ≤ 10 μm in diameter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide and summer exposure to ozone, controlling for demographic and geographic factors.ResultsIncreased respiratory allergy/hay fever was associated with increased summer O3 levels [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) per 10 ppb = 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15–1.26] and increased PM2.5 (AOR per 10 μg/m3 = 1.23; 95% CI, 1.10–1.38). These associations persisted after stratification by urban–rural status, inclusion of multiple pollutants, and definition of exposures by differing exposure radii. No associations between the other pollutants and the reporting respiratory allergy/hay fever were apparent.ConclusionsThese results provide evidence of adverse health for children living in areas with chronic exposure to higher levels of O3 and PM2.5 compared with children with lower exposures.

Children's Environment in Brazil: From Domestic (Indoor) to Regional Threats

“…The effect of the air pollution was detected in terms of emergency services and admittances in large and small cities in Brazil. Parker et al [172], in a research conducted with North-American children, came to the same conclusion: the results provide evidence of adverse health effects for children living in areas with chronic exposure to higher levels of O 3 and PM 2.5 compared with children with lower exposures.…”

The mutual influences of man-made pollutants and allergic manifestations

“…This is in line with the strong consistent association observed between the distance to the nearest main road and allergic disease outcomes. Children living closer than 50 meters to a busy street had a higher probability of getting allergic symptoms, compared to children living further away (Parker, Akinbami et al, 2009). In fact, one recent Los Angeles study found that eight percent of childhood asthma cases could be associated to living close (within 250 feet) to major roadways.…”

“…The proportion of PM2.5 in the distal pulmonary tissues was found to be three times larger than that of PM10 . Around 81 million Americans live in areas that fail to meet national air quality standards for particulate matter (Parker, Akinbami et al, 2009;Gardiner, 2011). Multiple studies have reported specifically on the relation between PM-exposure and adverse health outcomes.…”

“…In 2013, according to the American Lung Association, around 38% of the Americans lived in areas with unhealthful levels of ozone. It has been shown that long-term ozone exposure increased the risk of developing the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Parker, Akinbami et al, 2009;Gardiner, 2011;Ware, Zhao et al, 2016). In addition, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are hospitalized more frequently when exposed to O 3 , NO 2 and SO 2 levels >10 μg/m 3 (Ghanbari Ghozikali, Heibati et al, 2016).…”

“…Further, take any steps to ensure that new schools and housing developments are not placed near busy roadways, ports, rail yards or other industrial areas where the risk of diesel exposure increases. In addition, people living in an area with very high air pollution are advised to consider installing air filters inside their home (Parker, Akinbami et al, 2009;Gardiner, 2011).…”