title: Dichlorophenol-containing pesticides and allergies: results from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiologic studies support the hypothesis that reduced microbial exposure in westernized societies promotes atopy. Dichlorophenols are widely used as pesticides and for chlorination of water. They have a strong bactericidal effect that could affect microflora in the environment. However, it is unknown whether their use is associated with a higher prevalence of allergies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test the association between exposure to environmental pesticides represented by dichlorophenols and allergic sensitization measured by allergen-specific serum IgE levels in a US nationally representative sample of 2,211 persons 6 years and older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exposure to dichlorophenols was defined as high if their levels in urine were present at the 75th percentile and above. Association of the high exposure to dichlorophenols with sensitization to food and environmental allergens was assessed in logistic regression models after adjustment for sample weights and potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensitizations to 1 or more food allergens were more common in those with exposure to 2 dichlorophenol metabolites. After multivariable adjustment, urine dichlorophenol levels at the 75th percentile and above were associated with the presence of sensitization to foods (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.5; P = .003). No significant association was found between dichlorophenol exposure and sensitization to aeroallergens alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High urine levels of dichlorophenols are associated with the presence of sensitization to foods in a US population. Excessive use of dichlorophenols may contribute to the increasing incidence of food allergies in westernized societies.
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA. Elina.Jerschow@einstein.yu.edu
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jerschow
authors.forename: Aileen P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: McGinn
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Vos
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vernon
authors.forename: Sunit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jariwala
authors.forename: Golda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hudes
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenstreich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000379:methods; D010575:Pesticides / Q000276:immunology* / Q000506:poisoning*; D010636:Phenols / Q000276:immunology* / Q000506:poisoning*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D010575:Pesticides; D010636:Phenols; D007073:Immunoglobulin E