Exposure to Air Pollution in the First Year of Life Increases Risk of Allergies

Air pollution and poor air quality have an impact on allergies and your health. A new study has revealed that exposure to outdoor air pollution during the first year of life increases the risk of developing allergies to food, mold, pets and pests. Study senior author Michael Brauer, professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, said, "This is the first study to find a link between air pollution and measured allergic sensitization during the first year." Researchers used data from 2,477 children and assessed them with skin allergy testing at approximately one year of age. The children were tested for sensitivity to ten allergens, including cat, dog, dust mites, cockroach, fungus, milk, egg, soy and peanut.

The study also found that children who live with furry pets and no attached garage were more likely to have no sensitivity to any allergens. First author of the study Hind Sbihi, doctoral candidate at the UBC, said, "Understanding which environmental exposures in early life affect the development of allergies can help tailor preventative measures for children. We also found that children who attended daycare or those with older siblings in the household were less likely to develop allergic sensitization, suggesting that exposure to other children can be protective."

The study appears in the Environmental Health Perspectives.

Source-Medindia