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Published on: November 19, 2016
Air pollution is associated with persistent peanut allergy in the first 10 years
Diego J Lopez1, Caroline J Lodge2, Dinh S Bui1
1Allergy and Lung Health Unit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Insights
Early-life exposure to air pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM$_{2.5}$) and nitrogen dioxide (NO$_{2}$) is linked to peanut allergy development and persistence. Reducing air pollution may help decrease peanut allergy prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Allergy
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The impact of air pollution on eczema and food allergy development requires further investigation.
- Understanding these links is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between air pollution exposure and the development of eczema and food allergies in children up to 10 years of age.
- Specifically examining the roles of fine particulate matter (PM$_{2.5}$) and nitrogen dioxide (NO$_{2}$) in early life.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort of infants (HealthNuts study) was followed from age 1 to 10 years.
- Exposure to annual average PM$_{2.5}$ and NO$_{2}$ was estimated based on residential addresses.
- Eczema was parent-reported, and food allergies were diagnosed via oral food challenges.
Main Results:
- High early-life exposure to NO$_{2}$ was associated with increased peanut allergy prevalence at ages 1 and 4.
- Increased PM$_{2.5}$ exposure at age 1 was linked to peanut allergy at ages 4, 6, and 10.
- Early-life exposure to both pollutants correlated with persistent peanut allergy. No significant associations were found for eczema or egg allergy.
Conclusions:
- Exposure to PM$_{2.5}$ and NO$_{2}$ in early life is associated with peanut allergy prevalence and persistence.
- Implementing policies to reduce air pollution could potentially lower the incidence and persistence of peanut allergy.
Background:
The role of air pollution in eczema and food allergy development remains understudied.
Objective:
We aimed to assess whether exposure to air pollution is associated with eczema and food allergies in the first 10 years of life.
Methods:
HealthNuts recruited a population-based sample of 1-year-old infants who were followed up at ages 4, 6, and 10 years. Annual average fine particulate matter (particulate matter with diameter of 2.5 μm or less, or PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposures were assigned to geocoded residential addresses. Eczema was defined by parent report. Oral food challenges to peanut, egg, and sesame were used to measure food allergy. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted, and estimates were reported as adjusted odds ratios.
Results:
Those exposed to high concentration of NO2 (<10 ppb) at age 1 year had higher peanut allergy prevalence at ages 1 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.21 [1.40-3.48]) and 4 (2.29 [1.28-4.11]) years. High exposure to NO2 at 6 years old were associated with higher peanut allergy prevalence at age 6 (1.34 [1.00-1.82] per 2.7 ppb NO2 increase) years. Similarly, increased PM2.5 at age 1 year was associated with peanut allergy at ages 4, 6, and 10 years (respectively, 1.27 [1.01-1.60], 1.27 [1.01-1.56], and 1.46 [1.05-2.04] per 1.2 μg/m PM2.5 increase) years. We found that increased concentrations of NO2 or PM2.5 at age 1 year were associated with persistent peanut allergy at later ages. Little evidence of associations was observed with eczema or with egg allergy.
Conclusions:
Early-life exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with peanut allergy prevalence and persistence. Policies aiming at reducing air pollution could potentially reduce presence and persistence of peanut allergy.
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