Tree pollen exposure is associated with reduced lung function in children

Allergic disease is a recognized global epidemic and a significant cause of ill health and poor quality of life. The prevalence of pollen allergy is high throughout the world, and pollen exposure itself plays a role in emergency department presentations and hospitalizations for asthma. Lung function and airway inflammation are important measures of asthma activity and control.

To examine associations between exposure to multiple pollen types and lung function and markers of airway inflammation at 8 and 14 years of age, and to explore potential modification by residential greenness.

A cohort of high-risk children living in Sydney, Australia had spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measured at 8 and 14 years of age. Ambient pollen concentration on the day of lung function measurement and up to three days prior was used as the exposure measure. Residential greenness was derived from satellite imagery. We modelled the association between six pollen types and lung function and FeNO. We also assessed modifying effects of residential greenness.

Casuarina, cypress and Pinus pollen in the air the day before measurement and 3 days prior respectively, were associated with reduced lung function in 8-year-olds. The pollen exposures were associated with decreases in FEV₁ and FVC; however, the FEV₁ /FVC ratio was not affected. Effect modification by greenness was not observed due to loss of power.

Airborne tree pollen of cypress, Casuarina and Pinus and not grass in some regions may be detrimental to childhood lung function.