Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite levels and pediatric allergy and asthma in an inner-city cohort

Abstract

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been associated with allergic sensitization and asthma. We hypothesized that increased urinary PAH metabolites are associated with allergy or asthma among children age 5 yrs in an inner-city birth cohort. As part of an ongoing prospective birth cohort under the auspices of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH), urine was collected from 5-yr-old children (n = 222) of Dominican American and African American mothers in Northern Manhattan and South Bronx of New York City. Twenty-four PAH metabolites were measured in these specimens, and their levels (unadjusted and specific gravity corrected) were evaluated with IgE levels and asthma outcomes. Ten metabolites were detected in urine from all children. Concentrations ranged higher than those in representative samples of US children ages 6-11 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Among CCCEH children, compared with African Americans, the Dominican children had higher 2-hydroxynaphthalene but lower 9-hydroxyfluorene and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene concentrations. Increased 3-hydroxyfluorene and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene levels were associated with higher antimouse IgE levels (p < 0.05). These plus 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxyflourene and 1-hydroxyphenanthrene concentrations were associated with higher anti-mouse IgE levels on multivariate analyzes. Increased 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene levels were associated with higher anti-cat IgE levels (p < 0.05) in univariate, but not multivariate, analyzes. Levels of PAH metabolites were not associated with respiratory symptoms. Measures of PAH metabolites suggest considerable exposure in an urban pediatric population, and possible associations with allergic sensitization to mouse. Keywordspolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; inner-city asthma; allergen-specific IgE Exposure to high levels of air pollution has been associated with decreased lung function, asthma, nasal symptoms, bronchitis and sensitization to inhalant allergens in both children and adults (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon are produced during the incomplete combustion of organic material such as fuels, coal, wood, tobacco, and oil. Vehicle emissions are major sources of PAH in urban areas (6,7). Studies have shown that exposure to PAH is associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes. For example, our group reported that pre-natal exposure to Σ 8 PAH (benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, 3) benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene/isochrysene, dibenz (a,h)anthracene and indeno (1,2,3,c,d) pyrene) in the presence of post-natal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), was associated with increased cough and wheeze at age 12 months, and breathing problems and reports of probable asthma at age 24 months (8). We also found that higher pre-natal exposure to PAH was associated with cough, wheezing and ear infections in infants in a Polish cohort (9). It has been sug...

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Air Pollution and the Development of Posttransplant Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction

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Environmental effects on immune responses in patients with atopy and asthma

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