title: Residential proximity fine particles related to allergic sensitisation and asthma in primary school children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fine particulate matter has been linked to allergies by experimental and epidemiological data having used aggregated data or concentrations provided by fixed-site monitoring stations, which may have led to misclassification of individual exposure to air pollution.
  
  
  METHODS
  A semi-individual design was employed to relate individual data on asthma and allergy of 5338 school children (10.4 +/- 0.7 years) attending 108 randomly chosen schools in 6 French cities to the concentrations of PM2.5 (fine particles with aerodynamic diameter 2.5 microm) assessed in proximity of their homes. Children underwent a medical visit including skin prick test (SPT) to common allergens, exercise-induced bronchial (EIB) reactivity and skin examination for flexural dermatitis. Their parents filled in a standardised health questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for confounders and NO2 as a potential modifier, the odds of suffering from EIB and flexural dermatitis at the period of the survey, past year atopic asthma and SPT positivity to indoor allergens were significantly increased in residential settings with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 10 microg/m3 (WHO air quality limit values). The relationships were strengthened in long-term residents (current address for at least 8 years).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support the hypothesis that changes in allergy prevalence observed in recent decades might be partly related to interactions between traffic-related air pollution and allergens. Further longitudinal investigations are needed to corroborate such results.
authors: INSERM, U 707: EPAR, Paris, F-75012 France. annesi@u707.jussieu.fr
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Annesi-Maesano
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Moreau
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Caillaud
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Lavaud
authors: Yvon
authors: Y
authors: Le Moullec
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Taytard
authors: Gabrielle
authors: G
authors: Pauli
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Charpin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002947:Cities; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D014504:Urban Health; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide