A longitudinal analysis of associations between traffic-related air pollution with asthma, allergies and sensitization in the GINIplus and LISAplus birth cohorts

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.193
• Publication Date: 2013-11-07T09:16:28Z
• Authors: Elaine Fuertes; Marie Standl; Josef Cyrys; Dietrich Berdel; Andrea von Berg; Carl-Peter Bauer; Ursula Krämer; Dorothea Sugiri; Irina Lehmann; Sibylle Koletzko; Chris Carlsten; Michael Brauer; Joachim Heinrich
• Keywords: Interquartile range; Aeroallergen

Background. There is a need to study whether the adverse effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on childhood asthma and allergic diseases documented during early-life persist into later childhood. This longitudinal examined TRAP associated with prevalence asthma, rhinitis aeroallergen sensitization in two German cohorts followed from birth 10 years. Materials. Questionnaire-derived annual reports doctor diagnosed rhinitis, as well eye nose symptoms, were collected 6,604 children. Aeroallergen was assessed for 3,655 children who provided blood samples. Associations between these health outcomes nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particles aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 µg/m(3) (PM2.5) mass, PM2.5 absorbance ozone, individually estimated each child at birth, six year home addresses, using generalized estimation equations including adjustments relevant covariates. Odds ratios [95% confidence intervals] per increase interquartile range pollutant are presented total population geographical area (GINI/LISA South, GINI/LISA North LISA East, Germany). Results. The risk estimates generally null across pollutants. area-specific results heterogeneous. In North, all associations null. ozone elevated outcomes, those eyes symptom reached statistical significance (1.30 [1.02, 1.64] 1.35 [1.16, 1.59], respectively). For significant (0.84 [0.73, 0.97] NO2 0.87 [0.78, absorbance), association (0.83 [0.72, 0.96]). Conclusions. did not find consistent evidence that increases or data cohort participants years three locations Germany. Results heterogeneous areas investigated.